Fri Sep 13 12:47:50 UTC 2024: ## Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Accused of Rs 68 Crore Fraud Against BBMP

**Bengaluru:** Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is facing fresh allegations of corruption, this time related to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Senior BJP leader and RTI activist N.R. Ramesh has filed a private complaint in the Special Court for MLAs/MPs, alleging that Siddaramaiah and his government misused BBMP bus shelters for promotional activities without paying advertisement fees, amounting to a fraud of Rs 68.14 crore.

The complaint alleges that from 2015 to 2017, the Siddaramaiah government used 493 BBMP bus shelters for promotional activities, neglecting to pay the mandated advertisement fees. This, despite the fact that BBMP relies heavily on revenue sources like advertisement fees for vital services like employee salaries, park maintenance, and street lighting.

Ramesh claims that despite previous complaints filed with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Lokayukta, the Siddaramaiah government ignored a demand notice issued in 2017 for payment of Rs 12.98 crore. Furthermore, he alleges that the Lokayukta police, allegedly under pressure from the Chief Minister, closed the complaint related to the Rs 68.14 crore scam on July 26, 2024.

Ramesh’s private complaint seeks an order for investigation against CM Siddaramaiah and other involved individuals. This comes at a time when Siddaramaiah is already facing allegations in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case and is seeking legal protection against prosecution.

This latest accusation adds to the mounting pressure on the Karnataka CM, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of his administration.

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