Ranebennur DSP to probe seed scam

Haveri: Ranebennur DSP T V Suresh has been appointed as the investigating officer to probe the uncertified seeds scam in the state. Eastern range IGP S Ravi appointed Suresh and handed him over nine cases pertaining to the scam in Haveri, Dharwad and Ballari districts for investigation.
Police also suspect the scam is linked to Telangana. But Covid-19 may become a hurdle for the investigating team as the present condition is not favourable for inter-state travelling. Meanwhile, agriculture minister B C Patil has expressed his disappointment over the delayed attitude of police to conduct the probe.
“We have filed nine cases regarding the fake seeds scam in Haveri, Dharwad and Ballari districts, and handed them over to a special team led by Ranebennur DSP Suresh. I have strictly instructed the team to conduct the probe and submit the chargesheet to the court as early as possible,” the IGP said.
The IGP also clarified that Covid-19 wouldn’t be a hurdle to their investigation because their police would take precautionary measures during the investigation.
When contacted, DSP Suresh said he, having received the related order on June 2, will start the investigation soon. “The scam is a sensitive issue and it is linked to Telangana. So we need to travel interstate as part of the investigation. Moreover, Ranebennur taluk is one of the biggest seeds production are in Asia. So the uncertified seed menace is highest here.”
Patil said that he had been appealing to home minister Basavaraj Bommai and the IGP to investigate the scam at the earliest. “Now that the IGP has put the Ranebennur DSP on the job, the latter should do it in full earnest and in the interest of farmers.”