BENGALURU, 6 JUNE

Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Tribal Welfare B Nagendra resigned on Thursday after facing allegations in connection with an illegal money transfer case involving a State-run corporation.

The illegal money transfer, involving Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Ltd, came to light, after its accounts superintendent, Chandrashekhar P, died by suicide on 26 May, leaving behind a death note. The note revealed unauthorised transfers of Rs 187 crore, including Rs 88.62 crore to various accounts, some linked to prominent IT companies and a Hyderabad-based cooperative bank. The note implicated the corporation's suspended Managing Director JG Padmanabh, Accounts Officer Parashuram G Durugannavar, and Union Bank of India Chief Manager Suchismita Rawal, and mentioned that a "Minister" had given oral orders for the transfers.

Nagendra said on Thursday: “For the past 10 days, some BJP leaders have been trying to hamper the State government's image. So, without causing any trouble to the government, which is working for the people, I have decided to resign.”

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he would decide on Nagendra's resignation after consulting Special Investigation Team (SIT) and senior Cabinet colleagues. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said, "The Home Minister and I had a discussion with Nagendra. He is not involved in the scam and hence, there is no need to resign. However, he has offered to resign to uphold the dignity of the party and the government."

Nagendra said his resignation was voluntary and not due to pressure from the Chief Minister or the Deputy Chief Minister. He said SIT would find complications in the investigation and this prompted him to step down.

SIT, led by Manish Kharbikar, Additional Director General of Police, Economic Offences, at Criminal Investigation Department, is conducting the probe. Union Bank of India also filed a formal complaint with CBI regarding the embezzlement and suspended three officials.

Home Minister G Parameshwara indicated that the Cabinet would consider handing over the investigation to the CBI once a formal request is received from the central agency. —Salar News