KSDL bribery case: AAP urges to re-inquire against ex-BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa
Bengaluru: The Aam Aadmi Party's state unit on Friday demanded that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah immediately refer the Karnataka Soap and Detergent Factory bribery case to the Lokayukta to re-investigate former BJP MLA K Madal Virupakshappa.
The demand came two days after the Karnataka High Court quashed a case against Virupakshappa.
The party's state media coordinator Jagadish V Saddam said the Lokayukta raid at Virupakshappa's office when he was an MLA and president of the Karnataka Soap and Detergent Factory (KSDL), attracted the attention of the entire country.
This incident took place before the Karnataka assembly elections. It was the main reason for BJP's crushing defeat in the state.
ALSO READ: K'taka HC quashes bribery case against former BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa, son to face trial
''Shreyas Kashyap had complained to the Lokayukta that Madal Virupakshappa had asked for a bribe to sell raw materials related to perfumes. Madal's son and KAS officer Prashant Madal, was caught by the Lokayukta police while accepting a bribe on behalf of his father. Prashant Madal was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 40 lakh. He was arrested,'' he said in a statement.
After that, even during Lokayukta raid on Madal Virupakshappa's house, Rs eight crore were found but he gave the same account that it was money from selling arecanut.
''Didn't the BJP government at least know that the case should be investigated after obtaining the permission of the prosecution? Why did Lokayukta file an FIR without the permission of the prosecution? The fact that such a big case has been dismissed is a reflection of the bad system,'' he said.
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KSDL invites innovative technology to check sandalwood theft
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has invited farmers, scientists and organisations to come up with innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft in the state.
The state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), which manufactures Mysuru Sandal Soap has also planned sandalwood cultivation, state Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil said on Thursday.
"In a bid to promote sandalwood cultivation, the KSDL has planned a major initiative. As part of it, farmers, scientists, and organisations possessing information on advanced equipment or innovative technologies to prevent sandalwood theft have been invited to approach KSDL and share the details," Patil said in a statement.
Those interested in this initiative will be given an opportunity to demonstrate such technologies before the organisation, the minister said, adding if the proposed solutions are found suitable and effective, steps will be taken for consideration and implementation.
Patil stated that the cost involved in deploying technologies aimed at preventing sandalwood theft would be borne by KSDL.
Further, with a view to encouraging sandalwood cultivation, four farmers who have supplied the highest quantity of sandalwood to KSDL will be honoured with awards on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar on June 4, he said.
On the same occasion, police personnel and forest officials who have made notable progress in apprehending sandalwood thieves and registering cases, along with members of the public who have provided credible information leading to such action, will also be recognised and rewarded, the minister added.
Patil observed that farmers cultivating sandalwood trees on their lands have been facing increasing threats due to theft in recent years. Illegal felling and theft of sandalwood trees have continued for decades.
Although stringent laws are in place to curb such activities, the number of cases resulting in convictions remains very low, he noted.
"In this context, it becomes the responsibility of the organisation to extend both legal and technical support to farmers and encourage them to take up sandalwood cultivation on a larger scale," he said.
According to him, over the past three years, KSDL has procured 174.5 metric tonne of sandalwood directly from farmers across the state and transferred Rs 6.08 crore to their respective accounts.
