Lokayukta raids Karnataka officials over disproportionate assets case

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Lokayukta launched simultaneous raids on Saturday across seven districts—Udupi, Gadag, Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkot, Ballari, and Davanagere—in connection with a disproportionate assets case.

Sources confirmed that multiple officials are under scrutiny, with raids conducted at their residences, offices, and properties. Those targeted include the District Manager of the Devraj Urs Development Corporation, a First Division Assistant (FDA) at the Bagalkot Deputy Commissioner's Office, an executive engineer in Ballari, the Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) of Bada Panchayat near Shiggaon in Haveri, an accounts officer with Mangaluru Electricity Supply Company (Mescom), the Planning Officer at Nirmiti Kendra in Gadag, and the Superintendent Engineer at the Public Works Department (PWD) in Dharwad.

Lokayukta officials are conducting raids at six locations linked to the Nirmiti Kendra Planning Officer in Gadag, including his residence, office, and the homes of his son-in-law and brother-in-law.

Additional searches are underway at residences of close relatives in Hoovina Hadagali, Vijayanagara district, and Haveri district.

The operation, led by Lokayukta DySP Vijaya Biradar, has resulted in the seizure of property documents, gold, and silver articles.

In Kalaburagi city, authorities also raided the Husseni Garden residence of the Superintendent Engineer attached to the PWD in Dharwad.

The officer, formerly an executive engineer in Kalaburagi, is also facing raids at his brother’s residence, office, and properties in Ballari and Basavakalyan.

Sources revealed that officials uncovered property documents for 25 acres on the outskirts of Kalaburagi city, along with records related to a petrol bunk on Kalaburagi Airport Road and a crusher industry licensed in his name.

In Bagalkot district, authorities raided the residence of an FDA at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Amingarh town. They also searched a jewellery store, verifying ownership documents, with sources confirming significant seizures during the operation.

In the Haveri district, Lokayukta officials raided the Bada Gram Panchayat office in Shiggaon taluk. They are also examining documents at the PDO's residence, and a separate raid is underway at his residence in Dharwad.

Raids were also conducted at the residence of the Mescom accounts officer in Karkala town. Additionally, searches were carried out at his office and five other locations, including the homes of his relatives.

(inputs from IANS)