Karnataka Lokayukta raids 35 locations, 31 Crore linked to 8 Government officials

Karnataka Lokayukta raids across 35 locations uncovered disproportionate assets worth Rs 31.11 crore linked to eight government officials. Cash, gold, luxury vehicles, land and properties were seized during the anti-corruption operation.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Lokayukta conducted simultaneous raids at more than 35 locations across the state and uncovered unaccounted assets worth Rs 31.11 crore allegedly linked to eight government officials.

The searches were carried out at residences, offices and other properties connected to the accused officials and their relatives in Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Davanagere, Kalaburagi and Chikkamagaluru districts.

Assets Worth Over Rs 31 Crore Unearthed

According to the Lokayukta, officials discovered movable and immovable assets valued at more than Rs 31.11 crore during the raids.

The recovered assets include:

• Residential houses
• Agricultural land
• Commercial properties
• Land plots
• Cash deposits
• Gold and silver jewellery
• Vehicles
• Bank deposits and other valuables

Authorities said the searches revealed immovable assets worth approximately Rs 22.73 crore and movable assets worth Rs 8.38 crore.

Eight Government Officials Under Scanner

The officials whose premises were searched include:

• Rajanna SL, Additional Director (Town Planning), Karnataka Housing Board
• Uday Kumar MB, Assistant Executive Engineer, BESCOM
• Harshavardhan PN, Deputy Conservator of Forests
• Siddheshwar N. Hebbal, Chief Mechanical Engineer, NWKRTC
• Sanna Kenchappa, Superintending Engineer, KRIDL
• Krishna Naik L.A., Secretary, Bayaluseeme Area Development Board
• Manik S. Kankatte, Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department
• K.S. Mohan, Assistant Conservator of Forests

Highest Assets Found With Housing Board Official

Among those investigated, Rajanna SL was found to possess the highest-value assets, estimated at Rs 7.10 crore.

The raids also uncovered:

• Assets worth Rs 4.95 crore linked to Manik S. Kankatte
• Assets worth Rs 4.85 crore linked to Harshavardhan PN

Cash, Gold and Luxury Vehicles Seized

Lokayukta officials recovered significant amounts of cash, jewellery, bank deposits and luxury vehicles during the searches.

In one instance, investigators seized Rs 37 lakh in cash along with gold and silver jewellery valued at more than Rs 1.23 crore.

Investigation Continues

The Lokayukta police said the raids are part of an ongoing investigation into allegations that the officials amassed wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income.

Authorities are now examining financial records, property documents and transaction details to determine the extent of the alleged irregularities.