Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 26: In a new twist to the incident in which cash amounting to Rs 25.76 lac was found in the possession of the personal assistant of minister, Puttaranga Shetty, it is said that Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has found that the money actually belongs to the minister. It is claimed that ACB, during its probe, has found that the money formed bribes paid by seven contractors including B Yogeesh Babu, a Congressman who had fought against BJP's B Sriramulu in Molakalmuru constituency and was defeated last year. The amount was put together by seven contractors including Yogeesh Babu, it is said.

The names of contractors involved have been given as B Yogeesh Babu, Sathish, Jyothiprakash, Umesh, Raju and two others. Senior ACB officials confirmed that their investigation has concluded that seven contractors pooled money and handed over he said sum to the office staff of the minister.

Minister Puttaranga Shetty

Ananthu, who was deputed from the department of skill to the office of minister, Puttaranga Shetty, Krishnamurthy working in the office of the labour minister, and arrested accused, Mohan, as well as his friend, Nanda, have confessed to this fact during their questioning on Thursday and Friday. Therefore, it is learnt, the ACB officials have served notices on the seven contractors, asking them to be present for questioning.

It is said that the state government had sanctioned grants for developing roads to the colonies of nomads. These seven contractors, to whom the contracts for these roads had been allotted, had contacted Ananthu and Krishnamurthy to make sure that their money is released at the earliest. They discussed the matter and put together Rs 25.76 lac for being paid to the minister, sources claim. It is also said that all the seven contractors have connections with influential ministers.