ED attaches assets of Cong MLA in KOMUL recruitment ‘scam'
Nanjegowda, the MLA from Malur seat in Kolar district, is the chairman of KOMUL. The ED said the recruitment process was held by KOMUL and it consisted of a written exam and interview. It was 'manipulated' in lieu of money and/or recommendation of political persons, the federal probe agency said.
The recruitment committee, led by Nanjegowda along with KN Gopala Murthy (KOMUL MD), conspired with other directors in the organisation and hatched a plan which resulted into favouring of certain less meritorious candidates and deprivation of the deserving candidates, the ED alleged.
A provisional order has been issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to attach Rs 1.32-crore assets of Nanjegowda, it said. The ED probe began in these alleged irregularities after it conducted raids in January against Nanjegowda and some others in a different case related to 'illegal' allotment of government land worth Rs 150 crore. The agency made a reference of the alleged irregularities in KOMUL hiring to the Karnataka Lokayukta Police and also filed a complaint before the special court for trial of MP/MLA cases.
The agency said it seized OMR sheets, both original and tampered, WhatsApp messages received from politicians recommending certain candidates and forwarded by Nanjegowda, and other directors to the staff of KOMUL, during the searches. It claimed 'procedural lapses' were observed in the entire recruitment process at KOMUL and also at the Mangalore University indicating efforts to hide irregularities.
The agency also claimed that admission by the directors and staff of KOMUL, Mangalore University Registrar Nagendra Prasad and certain candidates who were accommodated in the examination, has unearthed a 'mega scam' in KOMUL recruitment during 2023.
A sum of Rs 1,56,50,000 was generated as 'proceeds of crime' by manipulating the recruitment process both during the written exam and interview stages, in lieu of monetary benefit accepted from the candidates assuring them their selection in KOMUL, it said.
Nanjegowda emerged as the 'principal architect' of the 'scam', leveraging his role as Chairman of KOMUL to control the overall recruitment, the ED said.
Statements and evidence indicate that he played a 'leading' role in fixing the number of 'reserved' seats, orchestrating how bribes would be collected and directing the manipulation of written exam OMR sheets and interview scores to ensure recommended or paying candidates were selected, the agency claimed. The MLA 'illegally' enriched himself to the tune of Rs 80 lakh (out of the total proceeds of Rs 1.56 crore), the ED alleged.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
29 minutes ago
- Hans India
Gujarat CM unveils Rs 358.37 crore development package for Banaskantha
Banaskantha: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 358.37 crore in Banaskantha district. Speaking at a public gathering in Suigam near Nadabet, the CM emphasised the government's resolve to transform border villages into engines of growth and tourism. "Where once there was barren land, we now see emerging tourism hubs, thanks to sustained efforts in water connectivity and grassroots infrastructure," said Patel, adding that the benefits of development are now reaching the last mile. Patel launched new projects worth Rs 55.68 crore and highlighted Gujarat's focus on health, education, water management, and green initiatives, pointing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaigns like 'Catch the Rain' and 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' as timely responses to global warming and environmental degradation. 'In Gujarat, every district now has a medical college, and over 7,000 new doctors are being trained annually. Citizens are now receiving free medical treatment up to Rs 10 lakh under schemes like Ayushman Bharat,' Patel said. He also acknowledged the success of the Amrit Sarovar Mission, noting that Gujarat exceeded its target by constructing more than 75 reservoirs in each district, with over 30,000 recharge wells completed in Banaskantha alone through a partnership with Banas Dairy. Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankarbhai Chaudhary, who also addressed the event, praised the CM's leadership and recalled how Banaskantha - once seen as underdeveloped - has now become a model for rural rejuvenation and border tourism. He emphasised the role of schemes like school enrolment drives, girls' education campaigns, and Gunotsav in transforming education in the district. "Banaskantha topped the state in this year's Class 10 and 12 results - a moment of pride for all of us," he said. Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, the district in charge, noted that the government had allocated Rs 7,200 crore to Banaskantha in the past three years, facilitating job growth through cooperative institutions like Banas Dairy and new GIDC estates across Talukas. Highlighting Gujarat's strong fiscal management, Patel attributed the state's progress to transparent governance and long-term planning - a legacy, he said, initiated by Narendra Modi during his tenure as Gujarat's Chief Minister. In a symbolic gesture, the Jay Bhole Group from Ahmedabad gifted the CM a replica of 51 Shakti Peeths and a Shri Yantra made from sacred soil. Citizens also warmly welcomed the recent approval of the new Vav-Tharad district, viewing it as a step toward better administration and local development. The event witnessed the presence of several state dignitaries and local MLAs, including Swarupji Thakor, Praveen Mali, Aniket Thakor, Keshaji Chauhan, and Mavji Desai, along with District Collector Mihir Patel, DDO M.J. Dave, SP Akshayraj Makwana, and other officials from various departments.
Indian Express
29 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Himachal BJP leaders meet Shah, discuss state's condition following rain-related disasters
A delegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders from Himachal Pradesh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah under the leadership of BJP national president and Union Minister for Health, Jagat Prakash Nadda, to discuss the issue of disaster management in the state on Thursday. The delegation included Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, State BJP chief Dr Rajeev Bindal, former Union minister and MP Anurag Thakur, Lok Sabha MP Suresh Kashyap, Dr Rajeev Bhardwaj, actor-cum-MP Kangana Ranaut, Rajya Sabha MP Indu Goswami, Dr Sikander Kumar, Harsh Mahajan, MLAs Vinod Kumar, Hans Raj, and Deep Raj. During the meeting, Nadda and the BJP leaders briefed Shah on the disaster situation in Himachal Pradesh and urged him to visit the disaster-affected areas. They also requested greater support for the rehabilitation of affected people and the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. They expressed their gratitude on behalf of the people of Himachal Pradesh to the Union Home Minister, who extended full cooperation during the disaster relief and rescue operations. The NDRF, ITBP, Army, and Air Force helicopters were made available immediately. At their request, Shah dispatched an inter-ministerial central team within 20 days to assess the damage caused by the disaster. Responding to their demand for a study on the causes of the disaster, a high-level expert team was also constituted. Nadda said that under the chairmanship of the Union Home Minister, a high-level committee had already approved a funding package of Rs 2,006.40 crore for Himachal Pradesh for rehabilitation and reconstruction in areas affected by floods, landslides, and cloudbursts in 2023. The first instalment of Rs 451.44 crore was released on July 7. The Centre also provided all logistical support, including the deployment of national disaster response teams, army units, and air force personnel, to Himachal and other states as required. A total of 13 NDRF teams are currently deployed for rescue and relief work in Himachal. Nadda further said that at the BJP's request, Shah had directed the formation of a multi-disciplinary central team in view of the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters in Himachal. Ranaut, in a post on X, also mentioned the neet, saying that the central government stands firmly with Himachal Pradesh in this hour of crisis. 'Expressing deep condolences, the minister (Shah) assured that all affected families will be provided with every possible assistance and prompt rehabilitation. The central government stands firmly with Himachal in this hour of crisis,' the MP wrote. According to the news agency PTI, since the onset of the monsoon in Himachal Pradesh on June 22, at least 76 people have died and 34 have gone missing in rain-related incidents across the state. The state has also experienced 40 flash floods, 23 cloudbursts and 25 landslides this monsoon season, resulting in losses of approximately Rs 1,247 crore, the State Emergency Operation Centre said.
The Hindu
29 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Government committed to gradual reduction of TASMAC outlets: Minister Muthusamy
Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise, S. Muthusamy, on Thursday (July 24, 2025) reiterated that the State government is committed to the gradual reduction of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC) liquor outlets. He said the 500 outlets that have already been closed would neither be reopened nor relocated. Addressing mediapersons, the Minister responded to opposition allegations concerning the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) actions related to TASMAC offices. 'Let them present what violations the ED has found. If any wrongdoing is identified, corrective action will be taken,' he said. He added that there was no evidence of unpaid excise duty or government inaction. 'If minor lapses have occurred, they are individual errors, and necessary action has already been taken by the TASMAC administration,' he noted. Reaffirming the government's approach, Mr. Muthusamy said the aim is to phase out TASMAC outlets in a way that avoids negative social consequences. 'A sudden shutdown could drive people toward illegal or unsafe alternatives. Hence, the government is proceeding responsibly,' he said. Defending the government's public outreach initiatives, including the Ungaludan Stalin programme, which was criticised by AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the Minister said that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has been receiving petitions directly from the public across various platforms for the past four-and-a-half years. 'As the volume of petitions increased, it placed significant pressure on officials. The Ungaludan Stalin scheme was introduced to streamline grievance redressal. Monitoring officers have been appointed, and lakhs of petitions have already been resolved. This initiative is unprecedented in the State's administrative history,' he said. Responding to Mr. Palaniswami's accusation that the DMK has 'swallowed' the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Mr. Muthusamy said, 'The DMK and VCK share a strong alliance. All coalition partners are united. The DMK treats every ally equally and respects their leaders. That is why we have been able to maintain unity despite differences of opinion.'
