BBMP accused of releasing Rs 55.32 cr bills without carrying out any work in Chamarajpet

Bengaluru: A complaint has been filed before the Lokayukta, alleging that the BBMP released bills worth Rs 55.32 crore for 47 works that were never carried out.

The alleged scam took place in the Chamarajpet assembly constituency, represented by Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, as per the complaint lodged by former councillor and BJP leader NR Ramesh.

Calling for an investigation, the complaint stated that the BBMP floated tenders worth Rs 27.66 crore in 2020 and issued work orders to 19 contractors.

"All the contractors received payments without executing a single patch of work by using political influence," it alleged. The same documents were allegedly reused to claim bills again in 2024-25.

In total, Rs 55.32 crore was paid to the 19 contractors, the complaint claimed. Ramesh has also named 12 engineers and 19 contractors allegedly involved in the scam.

"It is mandatory for engineers to furnish proof of work and a progress report to claim bills. In this case, all documents were forged. Photographs of works done elsewhere were used to claim payments,” Ramesh alleged. He hinted that a former Chamarajpet councillor and the MLA’s personal assistant were also involved.

Similar scam in 2015-16

Ramesh further claimed a similar scam had occurred in 2015-16.

Following his complaint at the time, the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force and the then Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested an executive engineer while the contractor absconded.

He has now urged the suspension of engineers implicated in the present case.