Archive · 28 Aug 2026
B. Nagendra Resigns Again Amid Karnataka Valmiki Scam Pressure
B. Nagendra was a minister in Karnataka.
He resigned after being accused of being connected to a large money scandal involving a corporation for tribal communities.
Investigators said about ₹187 crore was pooled into the corporation’s account and that ₹89.63 crore was moved away using forged documents and bank transactions.
They also said the money passed through hundreds of bank accounts.
Nagendra says he did not take or use any corporation money.
He says state agencies gave him a clean chit and that political opponents targeted him because he is a Dalit.
This was his second resignation connected to the case, after he had also resigned in 2024.
Opposition parties welcomed his resignation but said they would continue demanding full recovery and accountability.
Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra resigned on August 28, 2026, amid allegations linked to the Valmiki Corporation case.
Nagendra, who was reinducted on August 3, resigned for the second time after previously stepping down over the controversy in June 2024.
The Central Bureau of Investigation alleged that ₹89.63 crore was diverted through forged cheques and RTGS transactions and moved through about 600 accounts.
Nagendra denied wrongdoing, said state investigations had cleared him, and alleged that the BJP targeted him because he is a Dalit.
The BJP and JD(S) called the resignation a victory but said protests and a planned Raichur-Ballari foot march would continue until accountability and recovery of funds.
- Who
- B. Nagendra, Karnataka’s Planning and Statistics Minister; the Central Bureau of Investigation and Directorate of Enforcement are investigating allegations involving him and others.
- What
- Nagendra resigned from the Karnataka Cabinet for the second time amid allegations related to the Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation case.
- When
- August 28, 2026; he had been reinducted into the Cabinet on August 3, 2026.
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
- Why
- Nagendra said he resigned voluntarily to prevent embarrassment to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and the Congress party, while opposition parties demanded his removal over the allegations.
Nagendra and Congress Position
Opposition and Investigators’ Position
Nagendra’s alleged involvement
Nagendra and Congress Position
Nagendra denied using any corporation funds, questioned what document or instruction linked him to the transactions, and said his name was hurriedly added to a later charge sheet.
Opposition and Investigators’ Position
The CBI alleged a planned conspiracy involving Nagendra and associates, including illegal gratification of ₹1.20 crore allegedly routed through people connected to him.
Investigative findings
Nagendra and Congress Position
Nagendra said state SIT and CID investigations were fair and had given him a clean chit; he also said the transferred money had returned.
Opposition and Investigators’ Position
The CBI alleged that ₹89.63 crore was diverted through forged banking documents and moved through approximately 600 accounts, while the ED filed a charge sheet in the case.
Political meaning of the resignation
Nagendra and Congress Position
Nagendra said he resigned voluntarily to protect Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and the Congress party from embarrassment, and alleged that the BJP targeted him because he is a Dalit.
Opposition and Investigators’ Position
The BJP and JD(S) called the resignation a victory and the first setback for the Shivakumar government, while demanding broader accountability and recovery of all funds.
- Ministerial portfolio
- Nagendra held Karnataka’s Planning and Statistics portfolio when he resigned.
- Alleged amount
- The articles describe ₹187 crore as pooled, missing, or involved in the Valmiki Corporation case.
- Alleged diversion
- The CBI said ₹89.63 crore was diverted through forged cheques and RTGS transactions.
- Money trail
- The CBI said the diverted funds were layered through approximately 600 bank accounts and converted into cash, bullion, and luxury vehicles.
- Second resignation
- Nagendra previously resigned in June 2024 while serving as minister for Tribal Welfare.
- Investigative action
- The CBI said it filed a charge sheet after completing its investigation, while the ED also filed a charge sheet and sought permission to prosecute him.
- Opposition response
- The BJP and JD(S) planned to continue protests and a foot march from Raichur to Ballari from September 1 to 10.
