Over Rs 2.4 crore misappropriated from Tourism department accounts in Bagalkot, FIR filed

BAGALKOT: Close on the heels of the Maharshi Valmiki ST Develepment Corporation scam, a case of misappropriation of Rs 2.47 crore in the Tourism Department has come to light in the district. An FIR has been lodged against a bank manager and 11 staffers in this connections.

It is alleged that Rs 2,47,73,999 which was in the DC account head of the Tourism Department in IDBI Bank were channelled to other accounts. The issue came to light after Tourism Deparment Deputy Director Gopal Hittalamani lodged a complaint and the police began investigation.

Three accounts were being operated in the name of the district deputy commissioner and the district tourism development committee president in IDBI Bank. Funds parked in these accounts were diverted to other accounts. Over the last three years, a total of 1,35,96,500 was diverted illegally from account number 1071104000160063, Rs 1,01,33,750 from account number 1071104000165228 and Rs 43,749 from account number 1071104000165501 in 54 transactions, the complaint says.

Police Superintendent Amarnath Reddy said, “As per the complaint, the money was diverted between October 2021 and February 2024. Over Rs 40,000 was diverted from one of the accounts to the Nirmiti Kendra throught the Social Welfare Department. The bank branch has no records of the transaction. We have also sought documents of transactions made by the Tourism Department”.

The Bagalkot Cybercrime, Economic offences, Narcotics (CEN) police have registered a case and taken up further investigation.