Special court grants bail to former Karnataka Minister Nagendra in Valmiki corporation case
The Hindu
Former Minister B. Nagendra granted bail in multi-crore scam case involving Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation funds.
A Special Court in Bengaluru on Monday (October 14, 2024) granted bail to former Minister and Congress MLA B. Nagendra in the case of “multi-crore scam” involving funds of Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Ltd.
As per the gist of operative portion of the order released by the Special Court of Sessions for criminal cases against former and present MLAs and MPs, Mr. Nagendra has been directed to execute a personal bond for ₹2 lakh with two sureties for the like sum to the satisfaction of the court.
Meanwhile, the Court has directed him not threaten and tamper the prosecution witnesses or the complainant and victim; not evade the investigation and to appear before the investigation officer whenever called for investigation.
He has also been directed to furnish his passport to the Court and not leave Karnataka without obtaining written permission from the court; not in any manner interfere with the investigation or tamper the evidence directly or indirectly; and not to indulge in similar offence.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had taken up the investigation against him after the State police registered First Information Report (FIR) in respect of misappropriation of funds of the Valmiki corporation.
Mr. Nagendra, who was then serving as Minister for Scheduled Tribes Welfare in the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, was arrested by the ED on July 12 and he has been named as prime accused along with 14 others. The ED, in its charge sheet, had named him as “mastermind” of the scam.
The charge sheet filed by the State police on Valmiki Corporation scam does not include Mr. Nagendra in the list of accused named so far in their investigation report.