News Brief
Karnataka: BJP Seeks Action Against Congress Minister After State-Run Corporation Employee Exposes Rs 87 Crore Scam In Suicide Note
Karnataka minister B Nagendra
The Karnataka Congress government on Tuesday (28 May) ordered a CID probe into the alleged death by suicide of Chandrasekaran P, a 50-year-old accounts superintendent with the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation (KMVSTDC).
Chandrasekaran was found dead on Sunday evening, hanging from a ceiling fan at his residence.
In a six-page suicide note, he accused three senior colleagues of being responsible for his death, claiming harassment over alleged misappropriation of corporation funds to the tune of Rs 87 crore through various bank transactions for personal gains.
In the note, Chandrasekaran also alleged that he was instructed by a minister and an officer to open a "sweep-in and sweep-out account" at a bank branch on MG Road in Bengaluru, facilitating transfer of funds between savings and current accounts and linking fixed deposit accounts, Times of India reported.
An FIR has been filed against KMVSTDC Managing Director JG Padmanabha and two other officials, Durganna and Suchismita, who are currently untraceable.
However, the omission of ST Welfare Minister B Nagendra from the FIR has led to objections from the opposition BJP and JD(S).
Home Minister G Parameshwara announced the probe, stating that the investigation aims to uncover the circumstances leading to Chandrasekaran's death and take necessary actions based on the findings.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Tejaswi Surya accused the Congress of using Karnataka as an "ATM", and demanded constitution of a SIT to investigate the matter.
"Karnataka has been reduced to a mere ATM by Congress. It is unfortunate that Chandrashekaran had to commit suicide being unable to bear the pressure of a Congress Minister & senior bureaucrats to siphon funds meant for welfare of Schedule Tribes. Will CM Siddaramaiah sack this Congress Minister? Will an SIT be constituted to investigate this large-scale corruption loot?" Surya wrote in a post on X.
Opposition leaders R Ashoka and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra have demanded that Nagendra be removed from his position to ensure a fair probe.
However, Minister Nagendra, in a press conference, denied any involvement, blaming the senior officials for the financial irregularities.
He assured that anyone involved would face consequences, adding that a forensic report could lead to the MD's suspension.
He stated that Rs 28 crore has been recovered from the misappropriated funds, and the Union Bank of India has committed to refunding Rs 50 crore by Tuesday evening.
