Congress corners BJP over alleged links with criminals

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: IAS officer and Special Commissioner for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Rangappa on Saturday appeared before the city police for an inquiry in connection with the Voters Data Theft case. Police sources told News Trail that the suspended official appeared before Halasuru Gate police inspector Jagadish at the Cubbon Park police station.

The sources also said that Rangappa was asked more than 40 questions by the investigating officers related to the Voters Data Theft scam and his alleged connection with the Chilume Trust representatives during the inquiry. Out of these, the suspended official has reportedly answered only 15 questions.

Official S Rangappa was suspended by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for his alleged involvement with the NGO Chilume Trust on November 23. Along with him, Bengaluru Urban District Deputy Commissioner K Srinivas was also suspended on the same day. Later the Halasuru Gate police had directed both the suspended officers to appear for an inquiry on Saturday.

However K Srinivas could not appear due to health issues and has sought time from the police, sources added. Meanwhile Rangappa in his two and a half-page statement to the police, has reportedly said that he did not provide any permission to the Regional Officers and has no role in the scam.

The police have further directed Rangappa to reappear again with the relevant documents and evidence to prove his claims, on December 7.