Karnataka Minister Resigns From State Cabinet Over Illegal Money Transfer Case

Karnataka Minister B Nagendra, who is facing allegations in connection with an illegal money transfer case involving a state-run corporation, on Thursday resigned from the state Cabinet. The Scheduled Tribes Welfare and Youth Empowerment and Sports Department Minister tendered his resignation to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

“Over the last 10 days, the media has been airing this and creating an environment of fear in the state. Even the opposition is showing the government in a bad light. Since SIT has arrested many officials and is investigating, so out of my own will without any pressure I have decided to give my resignation to CM at 7:30 PM today," Nagendra said earlier in the day.

“I am doing this to ensure nobody faces any embarrassment," Nagendra, also the Youth Empowerment and Sports Minister, added.

The Karnataka Minister said he doesn’t want to cause embarrassment, to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar or party national President M Mallikarjun Kharge.

What Is Illegal Money Transfer Case Involving Karnataka Minister B Nagendra?

The illegal money transfer issue, involving Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Ltd, came to notice, after its accounts superintendent, Chandrashekhar P, died by suicide on May 26, leaving behind a death note.

The note revealed the unauthorised transfer of Rs 187 crore belonging to the state-run Corporation from its bank account, and from that, Rs 88.62 crore was illegally moved to various accounts allegedly belonging to “well-known" IT companies and a Hyderabad-based cooperative bank.

Chandrashekhar has named the Corporation’s now-suspended Managing Director J G Padmanabh, accounts officer Parashuram G Durugannavar, and Union Bank of India Chief Manager Suchismita Rawal in the note, while also stating that the “Minister" had issued oral orders for transferring the funds.

(With PTI inputs)