Kalasa DRFO suspended for alleged fraud in trekking ticket scam
Chikkamagaluru: The Forest Department has suspended Kalasa Deputy Zonal Forest Officer, Chandan Gowda Dyamana Gowda, of the Koppa Forest Division following allegations of fraudulent activities involving the sale of fake trekking tickets.
The officer is accused of creating counterfeit tickets for popular trekking spots such as Rani Zari and Ballalarayana Durga in Mudigere taluk and selling them online. The funds from these ticket sales were allegedly transferred to an individual named Monika via PhonePe.
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The scam came to light when a trekker arrived at the site without prior online booking, leading to an investigation by forest department officials. It was discovered that Chandan Gowda had reportedly generated more than 10 fake tickets. Discrepancies were found between the official online booking records and the on-site registration book.
Following an investigation by the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) Upendra Pratap Singh ordered the suspension of Chandan Gowda on Monday. The investigation report confirmed that the officer had engaged in fraudulent activities, resulting in government losses.
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Karnataka bypolls: Over 60 per cent voter turnout in Bagalkot, Davanagere South till 5 pm
Bengaluru (PTI): Over 60 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in both Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, where bypolls were held on Thursday.
While the turnout in Bagalkot was 65.68 per cent, it was 63.04 per cent in Davanagere South.
While the ruling Congress faces the challenge of retaining both seats, the BJP aims to wrest them and deliver a setback to its rival, which is currently witnessing an "internal power struggle" over leadership.
The bypolls were necessitated due to the demise of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti (Bagalkot) and Shamanur Shivashankarappa (Davanagere South).
A total of over 2.59 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes at around 319 polling stations in Bagalkot, where nine candidates are in the fray.
In Davanagere South, over 2.31 lakh eligible voters are expected to vote across 284 polling stations, with 25 candidates contesting.
The BJP has fielded former MLA and 2023 defeated candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath from Bagalkot, and a fresh face, Srinivas T Dasakariyappa, from Davanagere South.
The Congress has given tickets to family members of the late legislators in both constituencies. Bagalkot candidate Umesh Meti is the son of H Y Meti, while Samarth Mallikarjun from Davanagere South is the grandson of Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
