The joint probe by ED and Karnataka’s SIT into diversion of Rs 94 crore from Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation has revealed the involvement of ex-minister B Nagendra in the alleged scam by participating in a meeting in a hotel in Dec last year where he asked officials to transfer corporation’s money into a new account.
Nagendra, who resigned last month after the scam broke out, was arrested by ED sleuths on Saturday.
As per the documents SIT has submitted in court, Nagendra’s personal secretary Devendrappa, close aide Nekkunti Nagaraj, another ac cused Nageshwara Rao, and the corporation’s then MD JG Padmanabha, among others, met at a star hotel. Nagaraj allegedly asked Padmanabha to open a bank account and deposit the corporation’s funds in it. However, Padmanabha initially declined to follow his instructions.
Later, Nagaraj informed the group that Nagendra was at the hotel and led them to him. All of them returned to the place where they were sitting earlier. Nagendra then allegedly directed the corporation officials to open a new account & deposit money.
The alleged scam began after this meeting, and over Rs 94 crore belonging to the corporation was transferred to multiple accounts.
Nagendra, who resigned last month after the scam broke out, was arrested by ED sleuths on Saturday.
As per the documents SIT has submitted in court, Nagendra’s personal secretary Devendrappa, close aide Nekkunti Nagaraj, another ac cused Nageshwara Rao, and the corporation’s then MD JG Padmanabha, among others, met at a star hotel. Nagaraj allegedly asked Padmanabha to open a bank account and deposit the corporation’s funds in it. However, Padmanabha initially declined to follow his instructions.
Later, Nagaraj informed the group that Nagendra was at the hotel and led them to him. All of them returned to the place where they were sitting earlier. Nagendra then allegedly directed the corporation officials to open a new account & deposit money.
The alleged scam began after this meeting, and over Rs 94 crore belonging to the corporation was transferred to multiple accounts.
Source Agencies
