The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken decisive action in the high-profile Karnataka Valmiki Corporation scam, provisionally attaching assets valued at a staggering Rs 8.07 crore. The attached properties are linked to former minister B Nagendra, marking a significant escalation in the money laundering probe.
Details of the Attached Properties
In a statement released on 19 December 2025, the central agency disclosed that it has seized four immovable properties under the stringent provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The attached assets include a mix of residential and commercial land, along with buildings. This provisional attachment is a legal step that prevents the accused from selling or transferring these properties while the investigation is ongoing.
The Scandal and the PMLA Probe
The case stems from alleged financial irregularities within the Karnataka Valmiki Development Corporation. The ED's investigation is focused on tracing the trail of funds suspected to have been siphoned off from the state-owned corporation. The attachment of assets belonging to a former minister underscores the scale of the alleged money laundering operation. The agency's move is based on evidence suggesting that these properties were acquired using the proceeds of crime generated from the scam.
Implications and Next Steps
This development is a major blow to B Nagendra and adds substantial weight to the allegations of corruption and fund misappropriation. A provisional attachment under PMLA is a critical phase where the ED must subsequently file a prosecution complaint (chargesheet) before the Adjudicating Authority to make the attachment absolute. The case has sent shockwaves through Karnataka's political landscape, highlighting the ongoing crackdown on financial crimes by central agencies. The investigation into the Valmiki Corporation scam continues, with the ED likely to widen its net to uncover the full extent of the financial network involved.
