Former Karnataka Minister B Nagendra Arrested in Valmiki Corporation Scam

A Bengaluru Court has placed former Karnataka Minister B Nagendra in judicial custody until July 18 due to his alleged involvement in the Valmiki Corporation Scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Nagendra and produced him before the court.

The case came to light after Chandrasekaran, an official of the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, died by suicide on May 26, leaving a note alleging multi-crore corruption. Chandrasekaran’s note named three officials and demanded action against them.

On June 6, Nagendra voluntarily resigned amid the ongoing investigation, denying all allegations and expressing confidence in his innocence.

Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje accused Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of being involved in the scam and demanded his resignation. She claimed that the Karnataka government formed an SIT to hinder the CBI probe.

Karnataka Deputy CM argued that the ED’s raids were unnecessary, as the SIT had already conducted an investigation and recovered money.