KTR questions alleged Telangana connections in Karnataka's Valmiki scam

HYDERABAD: BRS Working President K Taraka Rama Rao raised serious questions about the Valmiki Scam in Karnataka, alleging connections to Telangana politicians and businessmen.

In a post on the micro-blogging site X (formerly Twitter), KTR questioned the involvement of individuals and entities in Hyderabad who were reportedly linked to the misappropriation of funds meant for the Scheduled Tribes Corporation.

KTR questioned the identity of the nine bank account holders in Hyderabad to whom Rs. 45 crore from the ST Corporation was allegedly transferred. He inquired about the owner of “V6 Business,” a company that reportedly received Rs. 4.5 crore in connection with the scam. He expressed concern over the apparent suppression of this news in Telangana's media circles, despite raids by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), Crime Investigation Department (CID), and Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The BRS leader further questioned the individuals who ran bars and gold shops from which cash was withdrawn during the Lok Sabha elections, suggesting a possible link to the Congress party. He pointed out that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah acknowledged in the Karnataka Assembly that Rs. 90 crore was embezzled in the scam.

KTR also highlighted a statement by Karnataka Minister Satish Jarakiholi, who allegedly suggested that the Telangana government could also fall if Siddaramaiah were removed, asking what this might imply.

KTR questioned why the ED had remained silent in Telangana despite having substantial leads in the investigation and asked who might be protecting Congress in the state.