Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Talks About Valmiki Corporation Scam and Arrests
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 19: Karnataka Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah announced that four people have been arrested in connection with the Valmiki Corporation scam. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has seized and recovered around Rs 85 crores and 25 lakhs. The investigation is being conducted by three agencies: the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the SIT.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated, “Rs 187.33 crores has been looted or defrauded by many people involved in this scam. In the death note, it was found that three people were responsible for the death of P Chandrasekaran. His wife, Kavitha, registered a complaint. Based on it, an FIR was registered.”
A complaint was also filed by A. Rajashekhar, General Manager of Valmiki Corporation, regarding the lost money. According to the complaint, Rs 89 crores and 63 lakhs were transferred to Union Bank of India, MG Road, and then to Hyderabad. The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact amount and the people involved.
Bank officials filed a complaint on June 3, 2024, to the CBI to investigate the matter. The ED has also taken up the case. The SIT is handling the complaints from the deceased’s wife, Kavitha, and Valmiki Corporation’s General Manager, A Rajashekhar.
So far, four people have been arrested, and around Rs 46 crores have been seized, with Rs 34 crores recovered from Ratnakar Bank. The total amount seized and recovered by the SIT is Rs 85 crores and 25 lakhs. The government is waiting for the reports from the ED and SIT.
Regarding the BJP’s demand for his resignation, CM Siddaramaiah said, “It is a politically motivated step. In what way am I or the finance department responsible for the whole scam, as the BJP alleges?” He also accused former CM Basavraj Bommai of corruption and questioned why the ED did not investigate the 21 scams during Bommai’s tenure.
Earlier, BJP leaders and legislators protested at the Gandhi statue of the Karnataka Vidhan Soudha, demanding Siddaramaiah’s resignation over the alleged scams. Siddaramaiah responded by questioning the BJP’s actions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes during their time in power.
The Valmiki case came to light after an official, Chandrasekaran, died by suicide and left a note alleging multi-crore corruption in the corporation. Chandrasekaran was a superintendent with the MVDC and mentioned the names of three officials in his six-page suicide note, demanding action against them.
Doubts Revealed
Karnataka -: Karnataka is a state in the southern part of India. It has a rich history and is known for its diverse culture and languages.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is the head of the government in a state in India, similar to a principal in a school but for the whole state.
Siddaramaiah -: Siddaramaiah is a politician and the current Chief Minister of Karnataka. He is responsible for making important decisions for the state.
Valmiki Corporation Scam -: A scam is when people do something dishonest to get money. The Valmiki Corporation Scam involves people taking money illegally from a government organization meant to help people.
SIT -: SIT stands for Special Investigation Team. It is a group of police officers who investigate serious crimes.
ED -: ED stands for Enforcement Directorate. It is a government agency in India that investigates financial crimes like money laundering.
CBI -: CBI stands for Central Bureau of Investigation. It is India’s top police agency that investigates serious crimes across the country.
Chandrasekaran -: Chandrasekaran was an official involved in the Valmiki Corporation. He died by suicide and left a note saying there was corruption.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is one of the major political parties in India.
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes -: Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are groups of people in India who have been historically disadvantaged. The government has special programs to help them.