Court Rejects Graft Complaint Against CM, Minister Over Ad Revenue Losses

A special court in Bengaluru has dismissed a complaint alleging a conspiracy involving chief minister Siddaramaiah, minister KJ George, and three senior officials to cause significant advertisement revenue losses to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) between 2015 and 2017.

- Press Trust of India

BENGALURU:

The court ruled that the accusations lacked substance and were based on conjecture rather than concrete evidence.

The complaint, filed by N R Ramesh, a former corporator and BJP leader, claimed that the BBMP suffered losses of Rs 68.14 crore during Siddaramaiah's earlier tenure as Chief Minister (2013-2018).

Ramesh alleged that the state government used BBMP-owned bus shelters to advertise its achievements without paying the mandatory advertisement fee. He further claimed that Congress leaders may have bribed BBMP and Information Department officials to avoid raising dues.