PMO Forwards Bharath Poovaiah & Others' Bowring Institute Petition to Karnataka Chief Secretary; BJP Leader N.R. Ramesh Seeks Multi-Agency Probe into Alleged ₹350 Crore Irregularities
Bengaluru, June 30: Allegations of large-scale financial irregularities, GST violations, illegal construction, misuse of club funds and controversial land transactions at Bowring Institute, one of Bengaluru’s oldest, most prestigious and historically significant social institutions, have reached the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), while separate complaints seeking investigation have also been submitted to multiple state and central agencies by BJP leader and anti-corruption activist N.R. Ramesh.
A communication issued by the Prime Minister’s Office dated April 27, 2026 (Reference No. PMOPG/D/2026/0074161) has forwarded a petition submitted by Bharath Poovaiah and Others to the Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, for appropriate action.
The PMO communication states that the representation, received through the PMO Public Grievance Portal, has been forwarded to the Karnataka Government with directions to take appropriate action, send a reply to the petitioners and upload the Action Taken Report on the grievance portal.
Multiple Complaints Before State and Central Agencies
While the PMO communication specifically refers to the petition submitted by Bharath Poovaiah and Others, The Bengaluru Live has examined several detailed complaints independently submitted by BJP leader N.R. Ramesh before multiple authorities.
According to documents reviewed by The Bengaluru Live, N.R. Ramesh has sought investigations by the Chief Minister’s Office, Karnataka Chief Secretary, Enforcement Directorate (ED), Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Karnataka Lokayukta, Income Tax authorities and other government agencies into the affairs of Bowring Institute and its office bearers.
Several of these complaints name Bowring Institute Secretary H.S. Srikanth and seek investigation into alleged financial, administrative and statutory violations.
Alleged ₹350 Crore Development Expenditure
According to complaints submitted before various authorities, nearly ₹350 crore has allegedly been spent on development works at Bowring Institute during the last decade.
The complainants have alleged that complete supporting records are unavailable for a substantial portion of the expenditure and have sought a forensic audit of contracts, tenders, bills, project execution and payments.
GST Collection Under Scanner
One of the principal allegations raised in the complaints relates to GST collected from new members.
According to the complaints, approximately 2,000 members were admitted from 2021 onwards, with each member allegedly paying around ₹20 lakh towards membership or infrastructure charges.
The complaints allege that GST at 18 per cent was collected but was either not remitted in accordance with law or proper GST invoices were allegedly not issued.
In representations submitted to the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), BJP leader N.R. Ramesh has sought an investigation into the alleged collection and remittance of GST by Bowring Institute.
A separate representation submitted before GST authorities further alleges that Bowring Institute’s membership increased from approximately 4,857 to around 6,800 members over five years and estimates total collections at approximately ₹463 crore, subject to verification of bank accounts, Tally records, receipts and financial statements.
The complaints seek verification of GST returns, invoices, membership records and recovery of tax, interest and penalty if violations are established.
ED Complaint Questions Bagepalli Land Deal
In a separate complaint addressed to the Enforcement Directorate, BJP leader N.R. Ramesh has alleged financial irregularities in connection with the purchase of approximately 24.31 acres of land near Bagepalli.
According to the complaint, the Managing Committee allegedly prepared demand drafts worth ₹10 crore before executing an agreement with M/s Trishul Build Tech & Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd.
The complaint further alleges that the land transaction, valued at approximately ₹88 crore, was executed without mandatory approval of the General Body and at rates substantially higher than the prevailing guidance value and government valuation.
The complainants have requested the Enforcement Directorate to investigate possible money laundering, diversion of funds, kickbacks and related financial transactions.
Questions Raised Over Construction and Lease Conditions
According to documents reviewed by The Bengaluru Live, the complaints also question construction activities allegedly undertaken inside Bowring Institute.
According to the representations, the 1956 Lease Deed governing Bowring Institute classified portions of the property into separate development zones, including areas where no development was permitted.
The complainants have alleged that construction, including sports infrastructure and other projects, was undertaken in restricted areas and that certain works were executed without following transparent procedures.
Complaints Name Public Officials
Several complaints submitted by BJP leader N.R. Ramesh also seek investigation into the alleged role of present and former public officials.
The representations allege that certain officials connected with inspections, approvals and civic administration were granted Bowring Institute memberships at concessional rates ranging between 50 and 75 per cent.
Among those referred to in the complaints are former BBMP East Zone Joint Commissioner K.R. Pallavi, Dr. H.R. Shivakumar, former Chief Engineer Mohan Krishna, Chief Engineer Suguna, Electrical Department officials R. Srinivasan and Hamsavardhan, Revenue Inspectors Rajendra and Veda Prakash alias Vedamurthy, and Junior Health Inspector Katyayini alias Kanthamani.
The complaints seek investigation into whether such memberships violated applicable service rules or influenced official decisions relating to Bowring Institute.
Allegations Regarding H.S. Srikanth
The complaints further allege irregularities concerning H.S. Srikanth, including the alleged acquisition of assets disproportionate to known sources of income, financial decisions relating to the institute and the land transaction.
These allegations form part of complaints submitted before investigative authorities and remain subject to verification by the competent agencies.
Bowring Institute Elects New Office-Bearers Amid Pending Complaints
Even as multiple complaints remain pending before the Prime Minister’s Office, Karnataka Government and various investigative agencies, Bowring Institute has elected a new Managing Committee for the 2026–28 term.
In the election, Bhaskar, who had earlier resigned as President after questions were raised regarding the proposed Bagepalli land transaction in complaints submitted to various authorities, has been re-elected as President.
H.S. Srikanth, who served as Secretary during the period covered by several of the complaints examined by The Bengaluru Live, has now been elected Treasurer.
Bharath Poovaiah, whose petition was forwarded by the Prime Minister’s Office to the Karnataka Chief Secretary for appropriate action, has been elected Secretary of Bowring Institute.
The change in office-bearers comes while complaints submitted by Bharath Poovaiah & Others and BJP leader N.R. Ramesh continue to remain before multiple state and central authorities, including the PMO, Chief Secretary, Enforcement Directorate, DGGI and Karnataka Lokayukta.
When contacted by The Bengaluru Live, Bharath Poovaiah confirmed the election results but declined to comment further on the pending complaints or the issues raised before various authorities.
Response Awaited
The Bengaluru Live contacted H.S. Srikanth and other persons named in the complaints seeking their responses.
At the time of publication, no response had been received from the persons contacted.
The Bengaluru Live will update this report immediately upon receiving their responses.
Disclaimer
This report is based on official correspondence issued by the Prime Minister’s Office and complaints, representations and supporting documents submitted by Bharath Poovaiah & Others and BJP leader N.R. Ramesh before various government and investigative authorities, including the PMO, Karnataka Chief Secretary, Enforcement Directorate, Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Karnataka Lokayukta, Income Tax authorities and other agencies.
The allegations described in this report are those contained in these representations and complaints. They have not been adjudicated upon or established by any court of law or investigating agency, and no finding of guilt has been recorded against any individual or institution named in this report.
The forwarding of a representation by the Prime Minister’s Office to the Karnataka Government is an administrative action under the public grievance mechanism and does not constitute a finding, endorsement or verification of the allegations contained in the petition.
The Bengaluru Live has sought responses from the concerned persons and remains committed to publishing their versions prominently upon receipt, in keeping with the principles of fair, balanced and responsible journalism.
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