CID officials search Maharshi Valmiki corporation employee’s residence, collect evidence

SHIVAMOGGA:: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Wednesday conducted a search at the residence of Maharshi Valmiki Schedule Tribe Development Corporation Ltd employee P Chandrasekaran here after he died by suicide on Sunday.

Chandrasekaran’s bag was found during evidence verification. A pen drive, laptop and other items were found in the bag. His wife Kavitha said that the name of MD of Valmiki Corporation, J G Padmanabhan,  was on the pen drive.

Chandrasekaran had left behind a six-page death note alleging corruption by senior officers.

The family members asked what was in the pen drive, but the officers did not show it. The officers informed that they would have to visit the police station later to sign for the confiscated items. The family members of Chandrasekaran said that this action of the authorities raised suspicion.

Earlier, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar said that the Home Minister and Chief Minister have already ordered for an inquiry and whoever may have done this, will be punished. “We have got the death note. The Home Minister and Chief Minister have already ordered an inquiry, and we have taken it seriously. Whoever may have done this, will be punished”, he said.

BJP leader Kota Srinivas Poojary speaking to the family members on Wednesday.

Chandrasekaran (45), a resident of the Kenchappa Colony of Vinoba Nagar, was an officer of Maharishi Valmiki Development Corporation and was working in Bengaluru. Chandrasekaran allegedly wrote a six-page suicide note before dying suicide on Sunday evening. He also mentioned the names of three officials in the death note and revealed about multi-crore corruption. A case has been registered in this regard in Vinoba Nagar police station.

“My death was caused by the corporation officials. The Managing Director of the Corporation, J G Padmanabha, Account Manager Parasuram Durgannavar, Union Bank Chief Manager Suchismitha have illegally looted Rs 80-85 crore from the corporation’s grant. I have no part in this affair. But under the pressure of work, it was my mistake not to get the cheque book of the said account and not to close the cash book. I am not responsible for this scam. So take action against the guilty officials”, Chandrasekaran wrote in his death note.

BJP leaders staged a protest in Shivamogga on Wednesday.

Chandrasekaran’s suicide has led to a loud political row in the state with the BJP targeting the state government. State BJP chief BY Vijayendra demanded a transparent investigation into the officer’s death.

“The reported suicide of an official involved in a massive corruption scandal worth Rs 187 crore in the Valmiki Development Corporation has revealed the true face of rampant corruption in the state @INCKarnataka government. Projects are being made only for commission business and the development works are rusting. It is not known how many more lives will be lost because of this commission’s vicious cycle”, he posted on X.

“It is a tragic misfortune that Congress leaders who make long speeches about the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Tribes have taken the leadership of the corruption and corruption going on in the name of Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department Minister @BNagendraINC should be dismissed from the cabinet immediately. I demand a transparent investigation into the officer’s death,” the BJP leader added.

Meanwhile, ST Welfare Minister B Nagendra said that the action will be taken based on the CID and FSL reports. (ANI)