Two officers arrested by SIT in connection with Maharshi Valmiki Corporation scam

BENGALURU: Two officers, including Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation managing director J B Padmanabha and accountant Parashuram, were arrested by the SIT on Friday night over their alleged involvement in a scam where funds have been misappropriated.

The SIT arrested them from the outskirts of Bengaluru and will produce them before the court this afternoon.

Public TV had reported about the Maharshi Valmiki ST Corporation scam. After the scam came to light, MD Padmanabh and Accountant Parasuram had gone into hiding. The scam came to light after an official of the corporation committed suicide and left behind a note alleging a multi-crore corruption in the corporation.

The official, Chandrasekaran (45), a resident of the Kenchappa Colony in Vinoba Nagar, Shivamogga, died by suicide on May 26. Chandrasekaran was a superintendent with the MVSTDC and was posted at its Bengaluru office and a case has been registered in this regard at the Vinoba Nagar police station in Shivamogga.

On Saturday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that no one will be protected in connection with scam. The CM pointed out that an SIT has been constituted and the investigation is going on at a fast pace. “There is no question of protecting the guilty”, the CM noted.

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar too said, “We are not going to protect the guilty. The BJP will do its politics and we won’t question them. These issues happened even during the BJP-led govt. We want a transparent government. We will protect and safeguard the interest of the govt”, the Deputy CM added.

To a question on the CBI taking over the probe, Shivakumar said, “We need at least three more days. We know that the case will naturally go to the CBI. We are ready to cooperate”.