Prime accused in TDR scam absconds

In another setback to the probe in Transferable Development Rights (TDR) scam, the prime accused in the case Krishna Lal is now learnt to be absconding.

Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials are on a lookout for Lal as he failed to appear before the officials after Lokayukta Court recently cancelled his anticipatory bail.

Lal was serving as BDA assistant executive engineer. When the scam occurred, he was an assistant engineer in TDR section, Mahadevapura division of the BBMP. He was named as accused number one in the FIR filed by the ACB in connection with the scam on April 11 this year.

He had applied for anticipatory bail after ACB officials raided his residence on April 26. However, the Lokayukta Court on Monday cancelled his bail after the ACB argued that Krishna was not co-operating with the investigation and had failed to appear before the officials probing the scam.

Soon after the bail was cancelled, Krishna absconded hindering the ongoing probe. Sources in the ACB told DH that they were on a lookout for the accused.

“He was not arrested earlier because of the anticipatory bail. Sensing his immediate arrest after the court cancelled his bail, he absconded,” sources said. A team of officials has been sent to his hometown Harapanahalli, Ballari district.