Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa has been convicted in a cheque bounce case from 2011 by the Bengaluru Special Courts for People’s Representatives. The court imposed a fine of Rs 6.96 crore on the minister, stating that failure to pay would result in six months of simple imprisonment. The BJP has demanded Bangarappa’s resignation, considering the conviction a black mark on the government’s dignity and the sanctity of education.
BJP leaders emphasized the moral responsibility of Bangarappa to resign, or Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to seek his resignation, warning of damage to the state’s education sector internationally. The case involves a bounced cheque issued by Bangarappa for a pending amount of Rs 6.96 crore to Rajesh Exports. Despite submitting an undertaking to make a payment by January 2024, the court’s decision reflects dissatisfaction with the minister’s previous dishonored undertaking.