Karnataka Lottery issue: Complaint in ACB against former chief minister S M Krishna

Bengaluru: The president of Karnataka State Lottery Sellers and Agents Association has filed a complaint with the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) against former chief minister S.M. Krishna and some lottery distributors. C Ramakrishna, the complainant, alleged that Mr Krishna had misused his official position when he was the chief minister from 1994 to 2004.

“He had made false statements that the revenue generated by online lottery business would be used for mid-day meals, which the people of the state believed. In 2002, when the Tamil Nadu government banned lottery there, all lottery traders of that state started illegal business in Karnataka and Mr Krishna encouraged them,” the complainant alleged.

“Mr Krishna is also responsible for Santiago Martin, a notorious name in lottery business in Tamil Nadu and other states, to build his empire in Karnataka. But, the state did not get any revenue from the lottery business run by others, while MSIL paid Rs 1 lakh per draw to the state government. The nexus between Mr Krishna and some lottery traders has to be investigated,” the complainant said.