In Belagavi, allegations of corruption have surfaced following the death of Second Division Assistant (SDA) Rudresh Yadavannavar, whose suspicious death has sparked a broader investigation into the practices at the tahsildar’s office. Sources reveal that prior to Yadavannavar’s death, efforts were underway to illegally transfer ownership of a 15-acre government land plot. Yadavannavar had reportedly resisted involvement in these activities, leading to his transfer to Saudatti on the day of his death.
A recently surfaced recording of a phone call between Yadavannavar and a reporter has gone viral, in which Yadavannavar claims he paid a ₹2 lakh bribe to Belagavi Tahsildar Basavaraj Nagral, facilitated by Somu Dadawadi, an aide to Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, to secure his posting as SDA. In the recording, Yadavannavar alleges that Somu also demanded an additional ₹50,000 as a personal commission. In frustration over corruption pressures, Yadavannavar reportedly sought assistance to prevent his transfer.
Further, officials allegedly targeted other properties with deceased owners and no legal heirs for illegal transfers. These properties, located in areas like KK Koppa and Halaga on the outskirts of Belagavi, were of interest for unauthorized ownership changes.
Minister Hebbalkar, in response, expressed condolences and urged a thorough investigation. She stated that she had never met Yadavannavar personally, adding, “The police inquiry is underway, so I will refrain from commenting further. I mourn his death and have requested higher authorities to investigate fully to uncover the truth. In the viral recording, Rudresh himself stated I was not involved in the monetary transfer, yet the BJP persists with baseless accusations against me.”
BJP Calls for Minister’s Resignation and SIT Probe
In response, the BJP has demanded Hebbalkar’s resignation and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into government official deaths following Yadavannavar’s alleged suicide. BJP leader R. Ashoka attributed the case to a wider issue of corruption within the current Congress-led government. “Under the Congress administration, harassment and suicides among honest officials are on the rise,” he remarked, citing Yadavannavar’s death as the fourth such case in the past 17 months.
Ashoka further criticized the government for alleged corruption and called for the case to be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for an independent investigation. BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal also demanded Hebbalkar’s resignation, accusing her of fostering a corrupt environment that, he asserted, led to Yadavannavar’s death. “Minister Hebbalkar has caused this tragedy. There is no doubt in my mind,” he stated, urging a high-level inquiry.
Minister Hebbalkar, however, dismissed these allegations as “baseless,” reiterating that Yadavannavar had cleared her of involvement in his viral message. She criticized the BJP for politicizing the issue, stating, “Politicizing this matter is unnecessary. The deceased himself said I had no role in this case, so these accusations lack foundation.”
Her brother, MLC Channaraj Hattiholi, defended her reputation and demanded a comprehensive investigation. Hattiholi also highlighted Yadavannavar’s reported grievances in the tahsildar’s office, urging the police to fully investigate the circumstances around his death.
BJP Seeks CBI, ED Probe into Alleged ₹900 Crore Excise Irregularities
Alongside calls for an inquiry into Yadavannavar’s death, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka accused the Congress government of financial irregularities in Karnataka’s Excise Department amounting to ₹900 crore. At a press briefing, he called for both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate alleged large-scale transactions within the department, also pointing to corruption charges involving Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur.
Ashoka expressed concern over the alleged suicide of another SDA in Belagavi, connecting the issue to systemic corruption. He reminded the Congress party of its previous stance, recalling how it demanded the resignation of Minister K.S. Eshwarappa under similar allegations. Ashoka criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s involvement in the Lokayukta inquiry, questioning whether a fair probe could be conducted while he remains in office.
