Corruption Storm Hits Karnataka: Ex-Minister Nagendra Interrogated in Major Scandal

Former Karnataka minister and Congress leader B Nagendra has been taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Valmiki Corporation scam case. According to reports, the ED conducted searches at several locations over the past two days, including Nagendra’s residences, as part of their investigation into alleged money laundering linked to the scam. Nagendra was escorted from his home to the ED office in Bengaluru for questioning, amidst media presence.

The Valmiki Corporation scam surfaced following the death of Chandrasekharan P, the Corporation’s accounts superintendent, in May. A purported suicide note left by Chandrasekharan implicated several officials in illegal money transfers from the Corporation’s accounts to various bank accounts. Subsequent investigations led to the suspension of two officials and Nagendra’s resignation as the Scheduled Tribes Welfare Minister on June 6.

The scandal, involving an alleged ₹187 crore unauthorized transfer, saw ₹88.62 crore redirected to IT companies and a Hyderabad-based cooperative bank. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is also probing the matter based on a complaint from the Union Bank of India. The ED’s actions have drawn reactions from political quarters, with the BJP calling it one of the state’s biggest scams and alleging misuse of funds intended for tribal welfare. As tensions escalate, the BJP plans to protest during the stormy monsoon session of the Karnataka assembly, accusing the Congress government of presiding over multiple corruption scandals and a lack of development initiatives.