CBI to probe multi-crore scam by three coop banks in Karnataka: CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru, Dec 2: The Central Bureau of Investigation will probe into the financial irregularities that took place in three cooperative banks in Karnataka, the state government said on Saturday.
In a post on 'X', Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said: "It has been approved to hand over the scams of Guru Raghavendra Cooperative Bank, Vasishtha Bank and Guru Sovereign Bank to the CBI."
Thousands of depositors had invested their lifetime savings in the bank, keeping their dreams like marriage of children, buying their own house as a basis for their retirement life. All of them are clueless about their future life due to bankers' fraud, the chief minister said.
"Even when I was the Leader of the Opposition earlier, I was vocal inside and outside the House and participated in protests to get justice for the defrauded depositors. Even then, it was our insistence that this case should be investigated by CBI," he stated.
"I have seen the frustration and suffering from those who have lost their deposit money. For this reason, I am handing over the case to the CBI with the intention of conducting a proper investigation and getting justice for all the victims," he added.
The government order said, "Government of Karnataka hereby accords sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation, under Section (6) of Delhi Special Police Establishment Act,1946..."
The CBI will investigate the multi-crore fraud committed by the directors, chief executives and staff members of the management board of Sri Guru Raghavendra Co-operative Bank Limited, Bengaluru, Sri Vasista Credit Souharda Co-operative Limited, Bengaluru and Sri Guru Sarvabahuma Souharda Credit Co-operative, Bengaluru, the order said.
The agency will identify and investigate persons involved in connection with the alleged fraud.
Concerned officers and others have been asked to hand over the data, information and records as and when required by the CBI and provide place, resources, manpower and logistic support including Camp Office and vehicles to CBI in connection with the case, the order said.
Thousands of investors had time and again staged protests seeking justice but to no avail.
ಗುರು ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ ಕೋ ಆಪರೇಟಿವ್ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್, ವಸಿಷ್ಠ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್ ಮತ್ತು ಗುರು ಸಾರ್ವಭೌಮ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್ಗಳ ಹಗರಣವನ್ನು ಸಿಬಿಐ ತನಿಖೆಗೆ ಒಪ್ಪಿಸಲು ಅನುಮೋದನೆ ನೀಡಲಾಗಿದೆ.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) December 2, 2023
ಸಾವಿರಾರು ಮಂದಿ ಠೇವಣಿದಾರರು ತಮ್ಮ ನಿವೃತ್ತಿ ಜೀವನಕ್ಕೆ ಆಧಾರವಾಗಲೆಂದು, ಮಕ್ಕಳ ಮದುವೆ, ಸ್ವಂತ ಮನೆ ಖರೀದಿ ಮುಂತಾದ ಕನಸುಗಳನ್ನು ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡು ತಮ್ಮ ಜೀವಮಾನದ…
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Sanjay Raut demands re-election, alleges irregularities in EVMs during Maharashtra polls
Mumbai, Nov 25: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday demanded a re-election in Maharashtra using ballot papers, claiming there were irregularities with the electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Talking to reporters, Raut alleged several complaints about EVMs malfunctioning and questioned the integrity of the recently held elections.
The BJP-led Mahayuti won 230 out of 288 seats in the assembly elections, while the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi managed 46 seats, with Shiv Sena (UBT) winning just 20 out of 95 seats it contested.
"We have received nearly 450 complaints regarding EVMs. Despite raising objections repeatedly, no action has been taken on these issues. How can we say these elections were conducted fairly? Hence, I demand that the results be set aside and elections be held again using ballot papers," Raut said.
Citing some instances, he said a candidate in Nashik reportedly received only four votes despite having 65 votes from his family, while in Dombivli, discrepancies were found in EVM tallies, and election officials refused to acknowledge the objections.
The Sena (UBT) leader also questioned the credibility of the landslide victories of some candidates, saying, "What revolutionary work have they done to receive more than 1.5 lakh votes? Even leaders who recently switched parties have become MLAs. This raises suspicions. For the first time, a senior leader like Sharad Pawar has expressed doubts about EVMs, which cannot be ignored."
Asked about the MVA's poor performance in the elections, Raut rejected the idea of blaming a single individual.
"We fought as a united MVA. Even a leader like Sharad Pawar, who commands immense respect in Maharashtra, faced defeat. This shows that we need to analyse the reasons behind the failure. One of the reasons is EVM irregularities and the misuse of the system, unconstitutional practices, and even judicial decisions left unresolved by Justice Chandrachud," he said.
Raut stressed that though internal differences might have existed within the MVA, the failure was collective.
He also accused the Mahayuti of conducting the elections in an unfair manner.
"I cannot call the elections fair given the numerous reports of discrepancies in EVMs, mismatched numbers, and vote irregularities across the state," Raut said.
