Former Minister of Karnataka B. Sriramulu was grilled for about six hours by the officials of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) here on Tuesday in connection with the cash-for-bail scam involving mining baron and his business partner Gali Janardhan Reddy.
Sources stated that Mr. Sriramulu, the Bellary Rural MLA, was questioned on how he had helped Gali Somasekhar Reddy, Bellary City MLA, and G. Dasaratha Rami Reddy (both of whom are already in custody) finalise the bail deal and about his role in arranging Rs. 9.5 crore allegedly paid to the suspended judge and other mediators in the deal.
After naming Mr. Sriramulu in its remand report of Kampli MLA T.H. Suresh Babu on July 31, the ACB served notice on him last week under Section 160 (1) of Cr.P.C. asking him to appear before it for his examination as a witness in the case.
The ACB had stated that he was acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case.
Mr. Sriramulu, accompanied by Bellary MP J. Shantha, his younger sister, and Raichur MP S. Pakkirappa, arrived at the ACB headquarters in Mozam Jahi Market here around 11 a.m. and left after 5 p.m. His supporters waited outside all along.
Speaking to media persons later, Mr. Sriramulu said: “As a responsible citizen I have cooperated well with the ACB by answering all their questions. I am ready to appear before them again, if required.” He denied having any role in the cash-for-bail scam. “I have nothing to do with it”, he stated.
ACB charge
In its remand report of Mr. Suresh Babu, the ACB had alleged that Mr. Sriramulu and Mr. Suresh Babu were involved in the efforts to secure bail to Mr. Janardhan Reddy illegally from the beginning. “They were in the thick of all related developments leading to the grant of bail by the then First Additional Special Judge for CBI Cases T. Pattabhi Rama Rao on May 11,” the court was told.
