Karnataka: Mines dept Deputy Director, arrested by Lokayukta police, now suspended

Mangaluru: The state government has appointed Sandeep JU, Senior Scientist at the Department of Mines and Geology, Udupi, as the in charge deputy director following the suspension of Deputy Director Krishnaveni on Saturday.

In fact, Krishnaveni was arrested by the Lokayukta police on May 28 for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 through her driver. However, she had resumed her duties after securing bail, on June 18.

Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had written to the Chief Secretary on Saturday, demanding that she be suspended from service and disciplinary action initiated.

According to government norms, any official who is in custody for more than 48 hours must be suspended. However, in Krishnaveni’s case, the rule has reportedly not been followed, drawing criticism from the public.

Krishnaveni was in custody for 18 days on bribery charges but had continued in the same post without suspension, which has triggered public outrage.

The case pertains to a resident of Ira village in Ullal taluk, who had applied for permission to level a plot of land by removing stones. Krishnaveni allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 for the approval, which was collected through her driver.

The Lokayukta police arrested her, office staff member Pradeep, and driver Madhu on May 28.