PSI scam: Bank questions bribe charge of accused against CID

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Trouble is brewing for the prime accused in the Karnataka Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) recruitment scam, as the allegations levelled by him against the CID officials have been proven to be untrue. A letter from Bank of Baroda, Kalaburagi branch, has stated that there is no mention of any amount being withdrawn from the account.

Rudragowda Patil, the accused in the case before surrendering to the Kalaburagi court had released a video clip accusing a CID official of offering him an “opportunity” to absolve him if he agreed to pay him Rs 3 crore.

“As Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Shankargouda Patil refused to negotiate, I had no option but to agree,” Rudragowda was seen stating in the video. He also said that he had arranged Rs 76 lakh from his brother-in-law, Shreekant Udagi, who handed over the amount to Deputy SP.

Now the bank has stated to the CID that the accounts belonging to Rudragowda and Udagi have been freezed for debits and credits as on May 19, 2022. “No further manual transaction has happened in the above mentioned accounts,” the bank said in a letter to the CID.

The allegation of corruption against the investigation officer had mounted pressure on the CID which further inquired with the bank to find out if any such transaction had taken place. However, the DSP had brushed aside Rudragowda’s claims and said that the accused was trying to “distract the investigation.” Further probe is on.