Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced the party's poll promise of an unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders. (Source: Karnataka Congress/ Twitter)Karnataka, Bengaluru News highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Karnataka on March 25 to take part in various programmes organised in Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru and Davangere. The PM will land at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport in the city on March 25 morning and will fly to Chikkaballapur in a helicopter to inaugurate Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research there, a government press release said.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Monday announced the party’s poll promise of an unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders for two years at a rally in Karnataka’s Belagavi in the presence of national Mallikarjun Kharge. This is the fourth guarantee by the party in the poll-bound state, where it had earlier announced 200 units of free electricity for all families – Gruha Jyothi, Rs 2,000 per month for the female head of the family – Gruha Lakshmi, and 10 kg rice for BPL families – Anna Bhagya.
Responding to the unemployment allowance promised by the Congress, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said Monday that the Opposition was desperate to win the elections. “They have already made three bogus guarantees. This is the fourth one,” he told reporters. Earlier in the day, at a rally attended by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the party announced monthly unemployment allowances of Rs 3,000 for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders for two years.
Participants ride their cars during a luxury car and bike rally organised by Queen's Drive Club, in Bengaluru, March 19, 2023. (PTI)
Bengaluru Habba on 25 th and 26th March 2023 at Cubbon Park in the presence of honourable Revenue Minister R Ashok and Horticulture Minister Muniratna along with Kannada and Culture Department in association with Cubbon Park Walkers Association.
Great pride for the people of Bangalore and requesting the people to conserve the natural resources, trees and animals.
A Kolkata man recently stabbed his estranged wife to death and also injured her 2.6-year-old child in Bengaluru.
The victim was also a native of Kolkata. The injured child is undergoing treatment at a hospital in the city. The child was stabbed in the thigh.
The incident took place Monday night after the accused barged into the house of the victim and stabbed her to death. A police officer said, “The couple married 14 years ago and shifted to Bengaluru in 2013. The wife developed a relationship with a person and the husband took her back to Kolkata.”
However, the woman left her husband and came back to Bengaluru two years ago. Thereafter, she started living with her boyfriend.
The accused was later arrested. “He was under the influence of alcohol and he was subjected to medical tests. We are taking his custody for further investigation,” a police officer said.
In response to viral pictures on social media which appear to suggest that a road project has been taken up by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Hosakerehalli lake in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, the civic body clarified to indianexpress.com that the effort was part of a road restoration project.
The BBMP has laid a 25-foot-wide mud road on the lake claiming that it will be used to move vehicles to desilt the water body. A senior official from the BBMP (lakes division) said, “The mound of mud that is seen inside the lake premises is built so that vehicles can move inside. These vehicles will be used to desilt the lake. Once the silt is removed, the temporary mound of mud will be removed from the premises. I clarify that there is no road construction taking place on the lake.” Aksheev Thakur reported
Karnataka’s principal chief conservator of forest (head of forest force) R K Singh Monday ordered an inquiry into corruption allegations against Bandipur Tiger Reserve director Ramesh Kumar, who allegedly issued a work of Rs 21.2 lakh for the restoration of the guest house and procurement of safari buses without calling tenders.
The inquiry team will be headed by Chief Conservator of Forest Sunil Panwar. An official inquiry order copy was accessed by indianexpress.com.
A farmer’s union, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, alleged that the Bandipur forest department officials have also taken up work, including lantana clearing, fish farming training and purchase of furniture and dust bin without calling tenders. “In some places, money has been drawn without carrying out the work and also, Rs 18 lakh has been embezzled from the CSR fund. These funds were for tree plantation,” the union mentioned in their letter to the forest department. Know More
BJP leader Baburao Chinchansur, believed to be one of those who played a key role in defeating AICC president M Mallikarjun Kharge, in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, appears set to join the Congress in Karnataka.
He had represented Gurmitkal assembly constituency in Kalaburagi district from 2008 to 2018, and was a Minister in the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government earlier. However, he quit the Congress in 2018 after his defeat in the assembly election and joined the BJP.
As a BJP member, he is viewed as one of the main leaders who played a key role in defeating Kharge in Gulbarga (Kalaburagi) Lok Sabha constituency. BJP candidate Umesh Jadhav, who too had resigned from the Congress and joined the BJP, won that election.
Congress sources said Chinchansur is expected to join the party in the coming days.
Earlier this month, another BJP MLC Puttanna resigned from the Legislative Council and joined the Congress. Read More
Train Nos. 07339/07340 and 07353/07354, which were recently introduced between SSS Hubballi and KSR Bengaluru, have been decided to provide additional stoppages at some stations for the convenience of passengers, as detailed below:
1. Train No. 07339/073340 SSS Hubballi-KSR Bengaluru-SSS Hubballi Daily Special Express will have an additional stop at Arsikere in both directions. With effect from March 22, 2023, this train (07339) will arrive Arsikere at 03:33 a.m. and depart at 03:36 a.m. Similarly, in the return journey, Train No. 07340 KSR Bengaluru-SSS Hubballi Daily Special Express will arrive Arsikere at 02:07 a.m. and depart at 02:10 a.m. from March 23, 2023.
2. With effect from March 23, 2023, Train No. 07353/07354 KSR Bengaluru-SSS Hubballi-KSR Bengaluru Daily Express Special will have additional halts at Yesvantpur, Tumakuru, and Arsikere stations in both directions. This train (07353) will arrive / depart Yesvantpur at 07:39/07:41 a.m., Tumakuru at 08:28/08:30 a.m. and Arsikere at 09:40/09:43 a.m. Similarly, in the return direction, Train No. 07354 will arrive/depart Arsikere at 07:17/07:20 p.m., Tumakuru at 08:48/08:50 p.m. and Yesvantpur at 10:08/10:10 p.m.
Two pedestrians in Bengaluru died on Tuesday after an ambulance hit them while they were walking on Tharalabalu road in Chikkajala area.
The deceased are Prakash, a resident of Mysuru and Nagendra, a resident of Banashankari in Bengaluru. Chikkajala traffic police who have registered the case said that though there was no patient inside the ambulance, the driver who was driving speed hit them.
While Prakash died on the spot, Nagendra was declared dead at the hospital. The police have registered a case and have launched a manhunt to nab the ambulance driver.
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The Congress in Karnataka has raised questions over a move by the BJP government in the state to get Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate a section of the Bengaluru Metro rail line between Baiyapanahalli and Whitefield on March 25 despite unfinished work on the key section between Baiyapanahalli and KR Puram.
“Why is PM Modi inaugurating the Purple Metro Line without the construction of the mandatory metro link between Baiyappanahalli Metro Station and KR Puram Metro Station? Is it not correct that this missing Metro Link, which crosses over an electrified railway line, will take at least six months more to be completed,” Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said in Bengaluru Tuesday.
A 7.16 km section of the much-awaited 15.81 km-long stretch from Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield on the Purple Line will be commissioned on March 25 by PM Modi on a visit to Bengaluru. The move to inaugurate only a portion of the stretch is seen as part of efforts by the BJP to showcase its infrastructure push ahead of the state polls in May. Read More
Kannada actor-activist Chetan Kumar alias Chetan Ahimsa was arrested on Tuesday by the Bengaluru city police for hurting religious sentiments with his tweet on Hindutva, his second arrest in the last year over his Twitter posts.On Monday, Chetan had tweeted that Hindutva was built on lies and could be defeated by truth. “Hindutva is built on LIES. Savarkar claim: Indian ‘nation’ began when Rama defeated Ravana & returned to Ayodhya —> a lie. 1992: Babri Masjid is ‘birthplace of Rama’ —> a lie. 2023: Urigowda-Nanjegowda are ‘killers’ of Tipu—> a lie. Hindutva can be defeated by TRUTH—> truth is EQUALITY,” Chetan said in his tweet.Police sources said that a person named Shivakumar had approached the police and filed a complaint stating that Chetan’s tweet hurt Hindu sentiments. Click Here
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has dismissed any potential setback for the ruling BJP party over the controversy surrounding the history of Tipu Sultan's death and the alleged involvement of Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda in it. The statement comes after a prominent seer called for an end to the controversy. Some BJP leaders and residents in the old Mysuru region have claimed that
Tipu Sultan was not killed fighting the British but instead was murdered by the Vokkaliga chieftains Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda. However, this claim has been disputed by well-known historians. CM Bommai emphasized the importance of proper research and the eventual revelation of the truth to achieve victory in the matter.
“There is no question of any setback. When research happens and the day truth comes out, will get the victory,” Bommai said in response to a question on whether the controversy would adversely impact the party. Read More
Following an agitation by autorickshaw drivers in Bengaluru on Monday, Karnataka Transport Minister B Sriramalu assured on Tuesday that action will be taken against aggregator company Rapido, which offers two-wheeler bike services.
“Auto rickshaw has been central to Bengaluru’s transport system for years now and action will be initiated against aggregator companies like Rapido who are operating illegally without a licence. I have directed the authorities to take suitable action in this regard,” Sriramalu said. 🛺 Read More to know the full story
After the unprecedented rainfall on 17th March 2023, which caused flooding on the Bengaluru-Mysurur Expressway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said it has fixed two of the major issues; bridge repair and drainage fixing.
The issues with regard to a flyover and drainage system on the 10-lane Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway have been resolved, while a third issue of free access to service roads for the convenience of people living in villages around the highway is being resolved, NHAI said. Want to know more about how the issues have been resolved? Read here
Watch the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway flooding video👇
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) Monday arrested a cyber centre owner in Bengaluru who was into changing the date of birth in the Aadhar cards of youths so as to make them eligible for government schemes, including old age pension, the police said. Read more to know the full story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Karnataka on March 25 to take part in various programmes organised in Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru and Davangere.
The PM will land at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport in the city on March 25 morning and will fly to Chikkaballapur in a helicopter to inaugurate Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research there, a government press release said.
Modi will fly back to Bengaluru in the afternoon to inaugurate the Whitefield Metro Line and will take a ride in the Metro train. He will then proceed to Davangere and address a public meeting, before proceeding to Shivamogga to fly to Delhi, according to an official press release.
This will be Modi's seventh visit to Karnataka this year. The Prime Minister was in Karnataka on March 12 to inaugurate the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway in Mandya and the IIT campus in Dharwad. (PTI)
Days after he announced that his studio would be releasing a movie titled “Uri Gowda Nanje Gowda”, BJP minister and producer Munirathna said on Monday that he was not going ahead with the project as it “may hurt the feelings of a section”.
The state Horticulture Minister’s statement came after a meeting with prominent Vokkaliga seer Nirmalananda Swamy at the Adichunchanagiri mutt in Mandya. Read More
Responding to the unemployment allowance promised by the Congress, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said Monday that the Opposition was desperate to win the elections.
“They have already made three bogus guarantees. This is the fourth one,” he told reporters. Earlier in the day, at a rally attended by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the party announced monthly unemployment allowances of Rs 3,000 for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders for two years. What is CM Bommai's argument? Read to know more
The Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd, which is at the centre of a , has been asked to hand over to the Indian Institute of Science samples of raw materials supplied by three vendors to verify the state-run firm’s allegation that the materials were adulterated.
The Karnataka High Court issued the order on March 17 on a petition filed on February 14 by Bannari Constructions, Chemixil Corporation and Delicia Chemicals, which accused the KSDL of rejecting their tender bids saying their materials were adulterated. Read More
The Karnataka High Court has directed the Centre and the Bureau of Immigration to issue exit permit from the country to a 26-year-old US citizen who came to India as a six-year-old and did not renounce her US citizenship as an adult only after she paid the NRI category fees for the medical education she pursued in the country.
A single-judge of the high court has taken an adverse view of the failure of the young woman to declare her US citizenship but allowed an exit permit from India to pursue higher studies in the US on payment of NRI quota fees for her five-year MBBS course at the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences in Karnataka. Read More
Speaking at his first rally in the state after Bharat Jodo Yatra, Gandhi said that the announcement to provide allowance to unemployed youth was in response to the concerns raised by the youth during the yatra.
“We have decided to provide Rs 3,000 per month per unemployed graduate for two years. Similarly, Rs 1,500 per month for diploma holders. This is because we understand your pain,” he said during the ‘Yuva Kranti’ rally.
“We won’t stop there. In this state, the Congress government will give employment to 10 lakh people. The 2.5 lakh vacancies in government jobs will also be filled,” he said, urging people to vote for the party in the state. Want to know more about the youth unemployment allowances? Read more here
The Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd, which is at the centre of a , has been asked to hand over to the Indian Institute of Science samples of raw materials supplied by three vendors to verify the state-run firm’s allegation that the materials were adulterated. Read more here
Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "remote control" jibe at him and the Congress, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday asked as to where was BJP chief J P Nadda's remote control.
Accusing the Modi-led BJP government of "troubling" party leader Rahul Gandhi for "speaking the truth", the Congress President said he doesn't fear such things and was ready for everything. (PTI)
A 36-year-old man was arrested on Monday for allegedly possessing and attempting to sell banned narcotic substance MDMA in a car at a village in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, police said. (PTI)
The Supreme Court today refused to stay a Karnataka high court order allowing the government to conduct board exams for students of Classes 5 and 8 studying the state board syllabus. Read why here
The Aam Aadmi Party on Monday released the first list comprising 80 candidates who will contest the upcoming Assembly elections in Karnataka. (PTI)
A US citizen who approached the High Court of Karnataka seeking a direction to the Union Government and Bureau of Immigration to issue her an exit permit has been ordered to pay the full fee of her MBBS course. (PTI)
Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar said the party would release a separate manifesto for the youth. “We aim to ensure employment and employability of the state’s youth. We will also introduce a law to employ local youth in the private sector. Apart from it, we will also establish private employment exchanges to provide jobs for youth,” he said.
An exhibition on account of World Down Syndrome Day will be held Tuesday at R V College of Physiotherapy. 10 stalls by persons with Down Syndrome will be set up and will be held between 3 pm and 5 pm.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Monday announced the party’s poll promise of an unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders for two years at a rally in Karnataka’s Belagavi in the presence of national Mallikarjun Kharge.
This is the fourth guarantee by the party in the poll-bound state, where it had earlier announced 200 units of free electricity for all families – Gruha Jyothi, Rs 2,000 per month for the female head of the family – Gruha Lakshmi, and 10 kg rice for BPL families – Anna Bhagya. Know more here
Addressing the rally at Belagavi, Rahul Gandhi said, 'Select people who are BJP's friends are getting all the benefits; it is leading to corruption'. (PTI)
Addressing the rally in poll-bound Karnataka, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that Congress leaders will fight Karnataka elections unitedly. He also said the Karnataka government was the most corrupt in the country and that it was “a 40 per cent commission govt”.
Addressing the rally, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the party will sweep elections in the state.
"Congress will sweep elections in the state. Why? Because BJP is 40 per cent commission government. People of the state want to be rid of this government. We will form the government of the poor, weak and small traders. I have told state leaders that I will campaign in any district they want. We will defeat BJP united and form government here", said Gandhi.
Addressing the rally, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress govenrment will give employment to 10 lakh people.
"The 2.5 lakh vacancies in government jobs will also be filled during Congress rule," said Gandhi.
Kharge, while addressing the rally, said that Rahul Gandhi is 'fearless.'
"He will speak the truth. They are harassing him. Let them harass. Lets see how long they harass. Will they imprison him? We are ready for everything", said Kharge.
Addressing the rally, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge said that the government here is 40 per cent commission government.
'There has been never been corruption to this extent in the state. Contractors said this. Not us', said Kharge.
'Why is (Amit) Shah not initiating an enquiry? Rahul Gandhi spoke to a variety of people during Bharat Jodo Yatra and listened to their grievances. Rahul Gandhi had spoken about the feedback he received in Kashmir. The statements were made 46 days ago. Police are seeking proof now about the women who were raped and harassment suffered by them. Here, contractors have given proof. Why is Shah and Modi not enquiring?' he added.
Rahul Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge unveiled the fourth guarantee for youth at the rally in poll-bound Karnataka today. The Yuva Nidhi scheme proposes unemployment allowance of Rs 3,000 per month for graduates and Rs 1,500 for diploma holders.
The Congress observed a moment of silence for the late Shri Dhruvnarayan, Working President KPCC during the public Meeting at CPED Ground in Belagavi.
While addressing the ‘Yuva Kranti’ rally in Belagavi on Monday, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar said: "We will release a separate manifesto for the youth. We aim to ensure employment and employability of the youth of the state. We will also come up with a law to provide employment for the local youth in the private sector too. Apart from it, we will also establish a private employment exchange to provide jobs for youth. We will fill all vacant government posts in the state."
Scores of autorickshaw drivers took to the streets on Monday and protested against Rapido bike taxis and other whiteboard and e-bike taxi services operating in the city “illegally”. The Bengaluru Auto Drivers Unions’ Federation, which called the strike, has for long been demanding a ban on bike taxis, which it says threaten the autorickshaw drivers’ livelihoods.
Some agitators also forced non-protesting auto drivers to join the stir. The Bengaluru police have detained several protesters. Auto drivers were detained near Mysore bank circle and KSR railway station when they tried to block the roads.
While addressing the ‘Yuva Kranti’ rally in Belagavi on Monday, Youth Congress president BV Srinivas said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will announce the party's fourth guarantee in poll-bound Karnataka. The party has announced three guarantees till now -- 200 units of free power for all families, Rs 2,000 per month for female heads of the family and 10 kg rice for BPL families.
Belagavi Police on Sunday seized tiffin boxes which portrayed pictures of former Hindalga Gram Panchayat President Nagesh Mannolkar. "These tiffin boxes portrayed the picture of Nagesh Mannolkar," a police official said.
"Officials have confiscated thousands of tiffin boxes collected for distribution to voters in Kudremani village of rural assembly constituency of Belagavi. It was kept at home to give gifts to voters. A case has been registered in the rural police station under the code of conduct violation," a police official added. Nagesh Mannolkar is a close-aide of MLA Ramesh Jarakiholi.
The elections in Karnataka are likely to be held in mid-April or the beginning of May. Earlier on March 9, top Congress leaders held consultations on ticket distribution for constituencies in Karnataka's Vijayapura district, as part of its preparations for the upcoming electoral contest. (ANI)
In a U-turn, Karnataka BJP Minister and film producer Munirathna on Monday announced that he was going to drop the plan to produce a movie on Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda, who, the BJP claims, killed 18th-century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan.
His statement came after meeting Nirmalananda Swamy at Adhichunchungiri mutt in Mandya district on Monday. On March 16, a studio named Vrishabhadri Productions, owned by Horticulture Minister Munirathna applied to register the title “Uri Gowda Nanje Gowda” with the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce.
On Monday he said, "I spoke to Nirmalananda Swamy. There are some documents on Uri Gowda and Nanje Gowda but there are some missing documents on Uri Gowda. I do not want to hurt anyone's feelings. I will not produce the movie."
Amid disagreements between the party's local leaders in Kolar, the Congress High Command has instructed former chief minister Siddaramaiah to drop his plan to contest from the Kolar assembly segment in the coming state Assembly polls, said sources.
According to sources, the Congress top brass has asked Siddaramaiah to contest from his traditional stronghold of Varuna in the Mysuru district, where his son doctor Yatindra Siddaramaiah won in the 2018 Assembly Elections.
Surveys by a team of Karnataka congress incharge Randeep Singh Surjewala predicted a rough ride for the former CM in Kolar.
After the 2019 Lok Sabha election two factions have been created in Kolar. Former speaker Ramesh Kumar versus former Union Minister KH Muniyappa which is creating trouble for Siddaramaiah. Former minister Muniyappa has openly said that he lost the election because of K Ramesh Kumar. (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be addressing "Yuva Kranti Samavesha", a youth convention, organised by the party's state unit here on Monday.
This will be the former AICC President's first visit to poll-bound Karnataka, months after the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', led by him, marched its way through parts of the State.
AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, the party's state unit chief D K Shivakumar, Legislature Party leader and Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah among several leaders will be taking part in the mega rally organised at the CPED ground here, this afternoon.
According to party sources, the Member of Parliament from Wayanad, is likely to announce the Karnataka Congress' fourth poll 'guarantee', which is likely to be focused on the youth, ahead of the Assembly polls, by May.
The Congress has already announced three poll ‘guarantees' — 200 units of free power to all households (Gruha Jyoti), Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family (Gruha Lakshmi), and 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household (Anna Bhagya).
The Congress, which is aiming to come to power with an absolute majority, has set a target of winning at least 150 of the total 224 seats in the Assembly polls. (PTI)
Several autorickshaws are expected to be off the roads today, as The Bengaluru Auto Drivers Union’s Federation has called for a strike till 12 am tonight, to protest against Rapido bike taxi services and other whiteboard and e-bike taxi services "illegally" operating in the city. According to the federation, passengers will feel a pinch as quite a sizeable number of autos will be off the roads today.
The federation has long been demanding a ban on Rapido services as they believe it would threaten their livelihood. Meanwhile, the aggregator has sought a stay order from the Karnataka High Court, which in an interim relief in 2021 directed the government not to take any coercive action against the company.
Near the Government Aquarium at Cubbon Park and not far from a colonial-era statue of Queen Victoria, passers-by may notice what appears to be a quaint old house straight out of the sleepy past of Bengaluru. But this is no antiquated residence, it is the Cubbon Park Police Station – possibly the oldest physical remnant of the police force as it once existed. Read More
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai will launch the self-employment scheme known as Swami Vivekananda Yuvashakti Sangha scheme on March 23. The Chief Minister on Sunday chaired a meeting of the senior officials and chief executive officers and reviewed the progress.
"The women's self-help groups have been active for the last so many years. But a self-employment scheme has been formulated for the first time for youths, and the chief executive officers of the zila panchayats must prioritize this. Their work does not end with the formation of joint liability groups and distribution of revolving funds as they have to identify the groups, help to avail loans, start the units, and till the production starts. They need to guide them," said the Chief Minister. (PTI)
Former Karnataka minister and Janata Dal (Secular) MLA Sa Ra Mahesh recently withdrew the defamation suit he had filed against IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri.
Mahesh had filed the case in September 2022, after Sindhuri accused him of land grabbing and encroachment during her tenure as the deputy commissioner of Mysuru. Read More
Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bengaluru Zonal Office has provisionally attached assets worth Rs.5.21 Crore in a case related to illegal mining under the provisions of the Prevention of Money-laundering Act. The attached assets are in the form of six immovable properties owned by the accused.
ED initiated an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 on the basis of an FIR registered by the Special Investigation Team, Karnataka Lokayukta, Bengaluru against M/s Mineral Enterprises Ltd., unknown government employees & other unknown persons under various sections of Mines & Minerals Development Regulation Act, 1957 and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 on the basis of directions issued by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
The case pertains to the trading of illegally mined iron ore by various traders. During the investigation under PMLA, it was noticed that iron ore have been illegally mined, transported and traded without valid permits which caused a loss to the exchequer. It has also been noticed that the source of such illegal iron ore is 2 mines owned by S.B Minerals having partners - BP Anand Kumar, Panduranga Singh & Gopal Singh, and 1 mine owned by Smt. Shanthlakshmi & J Mithyleswar and one mine owned by Bharat Mines and Minerals having partners – M/s BMM Ispat Ltd. & Dinesh Kumar Singhi.
Earlier the Centrally Empowered Committee appointed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India during its’ survey of mining leases in the state of Karnataka found gross illegalities/encroachment with respect to these four mines and kept them in C Category and on the basis of its recommendation, Hon’ble Supreme Court has cancelled their licenses.
Investigation under PMLA has established that the accused persons have caused wrongful loss to the Government exchequer and corresponding wrongful gain to themselves.
Further investigation is under progress.