ED detains former Karnataka minister B. Nagendra in connection with alleged scam at Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation
The Hindu
Three agencies - the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the State Government, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED - are probing the alleged scam at Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) detained former minister B. Nagendra, the Congress MLA from Ballari Rural constituency, on July 12 morning. The arrest is in connection with its probe into the alleged scam in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation where funds up to ₹88 crore were allegedly embezzled,
Following raids at multiple premises linked to him from July 10-12, Mr. Nagendra was taken to the ED office in Shantinagar in Bengaluru on July 12 morning. He is likely to be arrested later in the day.
“I have no knowledge of any irregularities at the Corporation. I am innocent and am being framed in a political conspiracy,” he told media persons while being taken into the ED office.
The scam came to light when N. Chandrashekharan, an employee of the Corporation ended his life scared over embezzlement of funds. He blamed the “minister” for the same in his death note on May 26. Mr. Nagendra, who held charge as the minister for Scheduled Tribes Welfare, under which the Corporation functioned, resigned as a minister on June 6, over the allegations. Three agencies - the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the state government, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED - are probing the case. The SIT has till date arrested 11 people and recovered ₹14.5 Crore of the diverted money. The SIT had questioned Mr. Nagendra and the Corporation’s Chairman Basanagouda Daddal, MLA Raichur Rural constituency, on Tuesday, a day before the ED raided them.