Lokayukta Raids 10 Karnataka Government Officials Over Disproportionate Assets, Seizes Cash and Gold
Statewide anti corruption operation targets officials across multiple departments as investigators recover large amounts of cash, gold and property documents.
The Karnataka Lokayukta has launched a major anti corruption operation by conducting simultaneous raids on the homes, offices and other properties of 10 government officials accused of possessing assets beyond their known sources of income.
The coordinated searches were carried out across seven districts, including Bengaluru City, Bengaluru South, Raichur, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Shivamogga and Kalaburagi. Officials from multiple Lokayukta teams searched residences, government offices and other premises as part of the investigation.
One of the most significant recoveries was made at the residence of Pushpa D R, Assistant Director in the Agriculture Department, based in Bengaluru. Investigators reportedly found a large quantity of gold jewellery and cash. The amount was so substantial that experts were called to the scene to assess the weight and value of the seized gold.
Other officials who came under the Lokayukta’s scrutiny include Bansa Gouda Patil, Executive Engineer of Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Limited in Raichur, Shankar M, Assistant Professor at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Chitradurga, and Dugappa B H, Range Forest Officer in the Watershed Development Department.
The raids also covered Narendra Kumar, Executive Engineer in the Public Works Department, Praveen B Sri Hari, Superintendent Engineer with KRIDL Bengaluru Range, Madhusudhan N, Assistant Engineer in the Minor Irrigation Department in Tumakuru, Thamme Gowda, Panchayat Development Officer of Kumbalagodu Panchayat, Kiran Angadi, Assistant Conservator in the Shivamogga Forest Research Division, and Amruth Rao, Assistant Executive Engineer with the Kalaburagi Electricity Supply Company.
According to Lokayukta officials, the operation was carried out after receiving credible intelligence inputs and completing preliminary inquiries. Search warrants were obtained from the court before the raids began. Authorities had received complaints alleging misuse of public funds in departments such as Agriculture, Horticulture and other development projects, prompting a detailed investigation.
Investigators have seized documents related to properties, financial records and other assets owned by the officials and their family members. These records will be examined to determine whether the assets are proportionate to their declared income.
Lokayukta officials said an inventory of the seized cash, gold, property documents and bank related records is being prepared. Once the preliminary investigation is completed, all the officials will be summoned for questioning and given an opportunity to explain the source of their assets.
If they fail to provide satisfactory evidence supporting the legality of their wealth, authorities will initiate legal proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The investigation is expected to continue in the coming days.