The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and his brother, D K Suresh, a former Lok Sabha MP, for questioning in connection with an alleged cheating and money laundering case. The case revolves around Aishwarya Gowda, a 33-year-old Bengaluru-based woman accused of defrauding people by posing as a political insider.

D K Suresh has been asked to appear before the agency on June 19 to record his statement under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED had arrested Aishwarya Gowda in April after conducting searches at her premises and those linked to Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni, who has also been questioned.

According to the ED, Gowda allegedly cheated multiple individuals by claiming proximity to high-profile politicians and promising them unusually high returns on investments made in gold, cash, and bank deposits. She is also accused of impersonating D K Suresh's sister, an allegation that Suresh has vehemently denied. He has filed a police complaint in Bengaluru, stating that his name was being misused.

Confirming the summons, D K Shivakumar stated that ED officials served the notice when he and his brother were not at home. He has instructed his household to receive the notice and assured full cooperation with the investigation. "My brother will cooperate with the ED whichever way possible. He will assist the ED by giving a statement," Shivakumar said. He also mentioned that some victims of the alleged fraud had approached him to explain their situation.

The ED's investigation revealed that Gowda and her associates allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy to cheat several individuals by collecting gold, cash, and funds through bank accounts, promising high returns. However, they neither returned the money nor provided the promised returns. The agency also alleges that Gowda threatened investors with dire consequences if they pursued the matter further, leveraging her purported connections to influential politicians.

During the searches conducted in April, the ED seized "incriminating" documents related to money laundering activities, digital devices, and Rs 2.25 crore in cash. The money laundering case against Gowda, her husband Harish K N, and others is based on multiple FIRs registered across various police stations in Karnataka.

Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticized the ED's action against MLA Kulkarni, calling it a "political vendetta." He asserted that such raids were a result of "politics of vengeance" employed by the central government.

The ED is understood to have recorded the statement of Kulkarni as part of the investigation. The case continues to unfold with further investigations and statements being recorded.