In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday ordered a State-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Enforcement Directorate to hand over all materials and evidence collected during their probe into the Valmiki scam case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Justice M Nagaprasanna passed the interim order on an application filed by the CBI, as part of a petition filed by four BJP leaders, including MLAs Basangouda Patil Yatnal and Ramesh Jarkihol, who sought a court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged Valmiki scam.
The case revolves around allegations of large-scale misappropriation of funds involving the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation (Valmiki Corporation). The BJP leaders had filed a petition with the court seeking a thorough investigation into the matter due to concerns regarding financial irregularities.
The CBI’s involvement in the case could potentially broaden the scope of the probe and bring clarity on the allegations surrounding the Valmiki Corporation, which is at the heart of the controversy. It remains to be seen how this move will affect the ongoing investigation and if it will lead to further action or indictments.
This order comes as a significant step in what has been a lengthy process, with the initial allegations being raised in 2023. The Union Bank of India, the Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department, Canara Bank, and other entities have been named in various reports related to the case. As this story develops, more updates will be provided.
The Valmiki Corporation, which is under the Karnataka government’s jurisdiction, was established with the objective of uplifting and developing the Scheduled Tribes communities. The allegations against it have raised questions about the management and utilization of funds meant for such welfare initiatives.
