Karnataka Officials Raided for Disproportionate Assets in Major Operation

The Lokayukta police in Karnataka launched a significant operation early on Tuesday, raiding five government officials on charges of possessing disproportionate assets. The coordinated raids took place across multiple locations, including Bengaluru, Hassan, Chitradurga, and Chikkaballapura, targeting the residences, offices, and relatives of the officials involved.

Details of the Raids

According to police reports, officials conducted searches at over 25 sites. In Bengaluru, raids focused on N Venkatesh, a tax accessor from the Shettyhalli sub-division of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), and K Omprakash, a senior assistant director in the horticulture department at the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) head office.

During the search of Omprakash’s properties, authorities uncovered substantial assets, including two sites, two houses, and ₹5 lakh in cash. They also discovered ₹60 lakh worth of gold ornaments and ₹34 lakh in vehicles, alongside fixed deposits amounting to ₹1.5 crore. Overall, the estimated value of assets linked to Omprakash reached nearly ₹6.3 crore.

In the case of Venkatesh, the Lokayukta police conducted raids at four locations, revealing two sites, three houses, a farmhouse, and approximately six acres and 17 guntas of agricultural land. Authorities also found ₹2.8 lakh in cash, gold, silver, and vehicles, culminating in a total asset value of about ₹2.8 crore.

Further Investigations and Findings

Raids at three locations associated with Dr Venkatesh G, a taluk health officer in Hiriyur, Chitradurga district, uncovered five sites, two houses, and around three acres and five guntas of agricultural land. The total value of assets seized there amounted to ₹3.5 crore, comprising cash, gold, and vehicles.

Additionally, the Lokayukta police targeted Jayanna R, an executive engineer with the national highway department in Hassan, conducting searches at five sites. Officials reported finding 17 sites, eight houses, one acre and 36 guntas of agricultural land, along with cash, gold ornaments, vehicles, and deposits, altogether worth approximately ₹6.3 crore.

Lastly, Anjaneya Murthy M, a junior engineer in the rural drinking water and sanitation department in Gowribidanur, was also under scrutiny. The raids at eight of his properties revealed five sites, a house, and a commercial complex, alongside gold and vehicles, with a total value nearing ₹5.8 crore.

Notices have been issued to all five officials, requiring their appearance before investigating officers as the inquiries continue. This operation underscores the ongoing efforts by the Lokayukta police to tackle corruption and ensure accountability within government departments in Karnataka.