B. Nagendra, the Congress legislator of Ballari Rural constituency and ex-Minister for Youth Empowerment, Sports, and Tribal Welfare in Karnataka resigned following allegations of embezzlement at Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation of the state has been arrested by ED.
On July 12 morning former minister B. Nagendra (Congress MLA from Ballari Rural constituency) was detained by Directorate of Enforcement (ED). This was consequent upon his arrest linked to ED’s investigation into alleged scam in Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation where up to ₹88 crore of funds were said to have been misappropriated,
Nagendra was taken on July 12 morning from several premises connected to him between July 10-12 to ED office in Shantinagar Bengaluru. He will be expected to be arrested later today.
“I am innocent. I know nothing about any irregularities in the corporation; it is only a political conspiracy against me,” told Congress legislator Mr Nagendra as he entered into ED quarters with journalists.
The alleged scam came into existence when N. Chandrashekharan, an employee, committed suicide over fund diversion. In a note on May 26th he blamed “minister” and others responsible for that incident.
He quit as minister for Scheduled Tribes Welfare overseeing the corporation in Karnataka government on 6th June while holding this position.
Investigations are being carried out by three entities including state government formed Special Investigation Team(SIT), Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI)and Directorate of enforcement(ED).
SIT has nabbed eleven individuals and confiscated approximately ₹14.5cr stolen money. On July 9th SIT had spoken with Mr.Nagendra and Chairman Basanagouda Daddal (Congress MLA from Raichur Rural constituency) before the raid conducted by ED one day after that.
