R. Ashoka alleges misuse of Valmiki Corporation funds by Cong, demands Minister’s resignation
Bengaluru: Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R. Ashoka, has accused the Congress government of misappropriating funds belonging to the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. Ashoka has demanded the resignation of Scheduled Tribes Welfare Minister B. Nagendra by June 6, threatening state-wide protests if the minister does not step down.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Thursday, Ashoka declared that the BJP would initiate state-wide protests with banners stating “Congress swallowed the money of Dalits” if Minister Nagendra fails to resign. He emphasized that the Congress government, which he accused of looting Dalit funds, would soon be removed from power.
Ashoka's allegations stem from a suicide note left by Chandrashekhar, an officer of the Valmiki Development Corporation, who recently died by suicide. In his note, Chandrashekhar allegedly claimed that Minister Nagendra had verbally instructed him to transfer the corporation's funds. The note also named other officials, including G. Padmanabh and Suja, and provided details about the alleged scam.
ALSO READ: Illegal money transfer case: Sack Minister Nagendra, handover probe to CBI, says K'taka BJP chief
During the press conference, Ashoka also criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's promise of quick monetary deposits into women's accounts. Instead, Ashoka claimed, funds were rapidly transferred to accounts controlled by Congress members, resulting in a loss of Rs 25,000 crore meant for Dalits. He further accused the Congress of encouraging terrorism and highlighted the lack of safety for officials and women in the state.
Ashoka also referenced previous incidents involving BJP leaders, noting that the Congress had demanded severe actions, including murder charges, against BJP leaders such as K.S. Eshwarappa when allegations were made against them. He called for similar strict actions against Minister Nagendra, including the filing of a murder case, as his name was mentioned in Chandrashekhar’s death note.
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NIA arrests key accused involved in human trafficking to US via 'dunki' route
New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key accused allegedly involved in sending a man illegally to the US via the infamous 'dunki' route.
The term 'dunki', believed to have originated from the word "donkey", refers to an illegal pathway that immigrants take to enter countries like the United States without proper documentation. Their risky and arduous travel is usually facilitated by a human-trafficking syndicate.
Accused Gagandeep Singh alias Goldie, a resident of west Delhi's Tilak Nagar, has been arrested by the NIA, an official statement said on Sunday.
Goldie was allegedly paid around Rs 45 lakh by a victim from Punjab's Tarn Taran district for illegal immigration, it said.
The victim was sent to the US via the 'dunki' route in December 2024, the statement issued by the NIA said.
He was deported to India by US authorities on February 15 and had thereafter filed a complaint against the accused "agent".
The case was originally registered by the Punjab Police and later, taken over by the NIA on March 13.
NIA investigations revealed that Goldie, who did not possess a licence or legal permit or registration for sending people abroad, had used the 'dunki' route and sent the victim to the US via Spain, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico.
"Donkers/associates of Goldie had even beaten up and exploited the victim, besides snatching the dollars he was carrying, during the arduous journey, NIA investigations further revealed," the statement said.
Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh had, on March 28, said, "From January 2025 till date, a total of 636 Indian nationals have been deported to India from the US."
