Karnataka Deputy CM Vows Probe into BJP's Rs 300 Crore Scam

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced an investigation into multiple scams, alleging the previous BJP government siphoned off over Rs 300 crore from various departments. The state government has already formed a Special Investigation Team, recovering Rs 36 crore from one scam, and aims to reveal further details in the legislative assembly.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday declared that the state government will probe all scams that occurred during the previous BJP government's tenure. He accused the BJP of siphoning off more than Rs 300 crore from various departments.

Addressing reporters at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said, "Under former chief ministers B S Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai, there were scams in various departments totaling Rs 300 crore. We will disclose the details in the House." He was responding to BJP charges about a Rs 187 crore scam in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation, including the illegal transfer of Rs 88 crore to various bank accounts.

Shivakumar detailed that during the BJP rule, misappropriations included Rs 87 crore from Bhovi Development Corporation, Rs 47 crore from APMC, Rs 22 crore from the Disabled Welfare department, Rs 5 crore from Ambedkar Development Corporation, Rs 47 crore from Devaraj Urs Development Corporation, and Rs 10 crore from KSPCB and KIADB transferred illegally to Tamil Nadu.

(With inputs from agencies.)