The Mysore Mallige scandal began to unravel in the 1990s, when allegations of large-scale embezzlement of sandalwood surfaced. An investigation by the Karnataka government revealed that a massive quantity of sandalwood, worth crores of rupees, had gone missing from the government stores. The probe further exposed a web of corruption involving top government officials, politicians, and businessmen.
The Mysore Mallige scandal led to significant changes in the way the sandalwood trade was managed in Karnataka. The government introduced new regulations and implemented measures to prevent corruption and ensure transparency in the trade. INDIA-S BIGGEST SCANDAL Mysore Mallige
Sandalwood, a highly valued and aromatic wood, has been a major export commodity in India for centuries. The Mysore government, which ruled the princely state of Mysore from 1831 to 1950, controlled the sandalwood trade and reaped significant revenue from it. After India gained independence in 1947, the Mysore government continued to manage the sandalwood trade, but with increasing corruption and mismanagement. The Mysore Mallige scandal began to unravel in