Murdered geologist had filed illegal quarrying report against BJP MLA Munirathna, show documents
In her report, Prathima K S Prathima had stated there was a loss of Rs 25.35 lakh to the government because of illegal quarrying.
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Hours after Prathima K S was found dead at her residence in Doddakallasandra on Sunday, Congress leader Surya Narayan released the documents. (File) The senior geologist with the Department of Mines and Geology, who was found murdered at her residence in Bengaluru, is said to have prepared a report against illegal quarrying in which BJP MLA Munirathna was also named.
Hours after Prathima K S was found dead at her residence in Doddakallasandra on Sunday, Congress leader Surya Narayan released the documents.
Prathima, who had conducted a physical inspection of the quarrying site and had submitted the report to the government, had stated there was a loss of Rs 25.35 lakh to the government because of the illegal activities.
Her report came after a case was registered against Munirathna and others in Chikkajala police station for allegedly illegal quarrying in survey numbers 177/3, 178/1-2-3, and 179 at Hunasamaranahalli and 34/1-2-3 and 17/7-8-9 at Sonnappanahalli.
However, Munirathna on Monday said he is being unnecessarily dragged into the issue. “Before Parliament elections, they didn’t want Munirathna to be outside. They (Congress) want me to be in Tihar jail. Presently, there is an investigation underway and it would be wrong on my part to give any statement. After the investigations, I will definitely respond to the allegations made. Let the investigation conclude,” he said.
According to Prathima’s report, the illegal quarrying was done without permission on 4.5 acres of land in which 51,460 metric tonnes of earth has been excavated in four areas. 25,876 metric tonnes of build stone were transported elsewhere leading the government to face Rs 25.35 lakh loss, the report said.
The police filed the FIR on July 11 under sections 9B(1)(b) of the Explosives Act, Section 96 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act and Section 286 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The case, in which Munirathna, Anandan, Ganesh, Radhamma, and Munirathna were named, was filed after residents raised an issue over illegal blasting in quarry sites.
On Monday, the police said they have arrested Prathima’s former driver, who was missing, in connection with her murder.
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