Official allegedly close to Reddy arrested after driver’s suicide

A Karnataka government official allegedly close to mining baron and former minister G Janardhana Reddy has been arrested after a suicide note by his driver accused him of helping Reddy launder money. The cash was allegedly used for Reddy’s daughter’s wedding last month, the opulence of which had made international headlines.

Nayak, a Karnataka administrative service officer and his current driver Mohammed were arrested in Gulbarga this morning. In the police case against him, Nayak has been accused of abetment of suicide. The driver had also been named in the case.

Nayak’s last driver, KC Ramesh Gowda, had committed suicide on Tuesday.

In his suicide note, he had alleged that his life was in danger for knowing about the money laundering.

The note said he helped Nayak kept a 20 per cent commission on the Rs. 100 crore, which he helped convert into new notes.

Karnataka is governed by the Congress. Reddy was a minister in the BJP government of BS Yeddyurappa. He was removed after corruption charges in 2011.

The wedding of his daughter Brahmani was attended by at least 50,000 guests, which included top leaders of both the Congress and the BJP.