BBMP file theft scam: HC notice to Lokayukta police

Hearing a petition regarding the theft of files at the BBMP, concerning civil contracts worth Rs 120 crore, their destruction and reconstruction at MLA Munirathna's house, the High Court of Karnataka issued a notice to the Lokayukta police.

Justice Michael D'Cunha heard the petition filed by advocate Amrutesh, asking the court to include MLA Munirathna and his family as co-accused in the case.

The petitioner said a man named Y H Srinivas had filed a complaint with the Superintendent of Police, Karnataka Lokayukta, stating that more than 1,000 files belonging to the BBMP were shifted, without authorisation, to a private residence in Vyalikaval, belonging to Munirathna, sitting MLA of Rajarajeshwari Nagar.

He further alleged that the 1,000 files were rearranged to conceal the misappropriation of Rs 120 crore regarding civil contracts. He also said several files were destroyed by setting them on fire and were recreated by personation.

The complainant stated that the BBMP officials, arrayed as accused one to eight, shifted the files with the intention of destroying and resetting them.

Following this, the complainant had lodged the complaint to probe the scam that took place in Munirathna's private residence.

An FIR was later filed against the five accused and others. The incident was registered as an offence. A charge sheet was also filed against the eight accused.

The complainant made a representation at the Lokayukta to hold further probe in the matter and implead the proposed respondents — MLA Munirathna and his wife, besides film producer and distributor Soorappa Babu — as co-accused. He also filed an application before the trial court, which rejected the plea, prompting him to approach the high court.