Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday sought a response from the state government on a petition from Union Bank of India to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged misuse of funds by the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation (Valmiki Corporation).
Judge M Nagaprasanna, who is overseeing the case, has set the next hearing date for August 7, heightening the anticipation surrounding this high-profile investigation.
Attorney General of India R Venkataramani, appearing for the Bank, emphasised the necessity of a CBI investigation to uphold banking regulations. ‘Despite ongoing probes by the state’s investigation team and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Venkatramani argued that a central agency’s involvement is crucial for a thorough examination’.
The scandal first came to light in May with the tragic death of P Chandrashekhar, the accounts manager for Valmiki Corporation.
In a suicide note, he alleged misuse of welfare funds, which has since triggered a flurry of investigations. The ED’s findings reveal a staggering Rs 90 crore was illicitly siphoned from the corporation’s account to unauthorized destinations.
