Valmiki scam: Case against ED officials for pressuring official to name CM Siddaramaiah, others
Bengaluru, Jul 22: In a major twist in the Rs 187 crore scam in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation, a case was registered on Monday against two Enforcement Directorate officials for pressuring a state government officer to "frame" Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Finance Department.
Based on a complaint by Additional Director of the Social Welfare Department Kallesh B, the case was registered at Wilson Garden Police station against two ED officers.
The cases pertain to "joint criminal liability with a common intention, criminal intimidation and intent to provoke breach of peace".
Kallesh has accused an ED official named Murali Kannan and an officer by the surname Mittal.
Besides the Special Investigation Team set up by the Karnataka government, the CBI is also probing the alleged embezzlement of Rs 187 crore, including the illegal transfer of Rs 88 to Hyderabad-based companies.
ALSO READ: Karnataka cabinet gives nod for resolutions against NEET, 'One Nation, One Election', delimitation
The CBI has roped in the Enforcement Directorate to probe the matter, which raided places linked to former minister B Nagendra and Valmiki Corporation chairperson and MLA Basanagouda Daddal. The ED also arrested Nagendra. He is currently in judicial custody.
Kallesh said that during questioning on July 16, Kannan asked him 17 questions and he replied to them promptly. He alleged that Kannan asked him to name former minister B Nagendra, "the highest authority" (referring apparently to CM Siddaramaiah) and the Finance Department.
Further, Kallesh said that Mittal allegedly threatened to frame him in the case and said that if he wanted the ED to help him, he should name the chief minister, Nagendra and the Finance Department.
The complainant claimed that although he was not involved in the crime, he was summoned and threatened, and told to give in writing that the chief minister, the former minister and the Finance Department officials were involved in it.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Delhi CM attends Iftar party, says such programs strengthen 'unity and harmony' in society
New Delhi, Mar 16 (PTI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday attended an Iftar programme hosted by Delhi BJP's Minority Morcha at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, saying that such programmes strengthen "unity and harmony" in the society.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, along with several BJP leaders, also attended the programme.
"Got the opportunity to share the message of harmony and unity with all the brothers and sisters in the 'Dawat-e-Iftar' program organised by BJP Minority Morcha (Delhi State). Our culture is a symbol of mutual respect, love, and harmony, and such programs further strengthen unity and harmony in society," Gupta said in a post on X.
This was the second Iftar program attended by the BJP leaders after the party formed the government in Delhi, ending the decade-long rule of the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP in the Assembly elections last month.
Earlier, Chief Minister Gupta, Rijiju, and other party leaders attended an Iftar hosted by the Delhi Haj Committee on Saturday.
Muslims, holding fast during the holy month of Ramadan, break their fast together in the evening at Iftar gatherings.
Rijiju, in a post on X, said that the gathering of Iftar "beautifully reflected the essence of this holy month. A truly special evening celebrating unity, generosity, and shared blessings."
Minority Morcha's national president Jamal Siddiqui, Delhi Minister Ashish Sood, Uttar Pradesh Minister Danish Azad, international Kho Kho player Nasreen Sheikh, former Union Ministers Shahnawaz Hussain and Harsh Vardhan, among others, attended the program.
Delhi BJP Minority Morcha President Anees Abbasi emphasised that Ramadan is a sacred month of devotion, during which Muslims observe fasting and pray for communal harmony and the country’s prosperity.
He stated that the Roza Iftar event was organized with the same spirit, aiming to collectively pray for a developed Delhi and contribute to realising the Prime Minister's vision.
भाजपा अल्पसंख्यक मोर्चा (दिल्ली प्रदेश) द्वारा आयोजित ‘दावत-ए-इफ्तार’ कार्यक्रम में सभी भाई-बहनों के साथ मिलकर सौहार्द और एकता का संदेश साझा करने का अवसर मिला।
— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) March 16, 2025
इस आयोजन में केंद्रीय मंत्री श्री @KirenRijiju जी और कैबिनेट में साथी श्री @ashishsood_bjp जी भी उपस्थित रहे। हमारी… pic.twitter.com/a89Vhd9kAr
An evening of togetherness in the spirit of Ramzan. Attended the Dawat-e-Iftar at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, New Delhi, on the invitation of Delhi BJP Minority Morcha President @AnishAbbasi ji.
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) March 16, 2025
Joined by Hon'ble CM Smt @gupta_rekha ji, the gathering beautifully reflected… pic.twitter.com/4uAIeHHsX6
