BENGALURU: The Karnataka Lokayukta launched coordinated search operations on Tuesday across multiple districts following complaints of disproportionate assets against five state government officers. Raids were conducted at residences, workplaces, relatives’ homes, and farmhouses linked to the accused in Bengaluru, Chitradurga, Chikkaballapur, and Hassan.
The five officials under scrutiny are N Venkatesh, Revenue Officer at BBMP’s Dasarahalli sub-division; K Om Prakash, Senior Assistant Horticulture Director at Bangalore Development Authority (BDA); Dr Venkatesh, Health Officer in Hiriyur taluk, Chitradurga; Anjaneya Murthy M, Junior Engineer in the Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Chikkaballapur; and Jayanna R, Executive Engineer at the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) division in Hassan.
Lokayukta officials stated that the searches are part of ongoing investigations to verify asset declarations against actual holdings. More details are expected as assessments of seized documents and valuables continue.
Previous Raids Uncovered Assets Worth Crores
The ongoing operation follows another extensive sweep conducted by the Lokayukta on July 23, targeting 41 locations tied to eight government officials across Bengaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Kalaburagi, Koppal, and Kodagu.
Among those named in the earlier raids was IAS officer Dr Vasanti Amar B V, Special Deputy Commissioner at the Rail Infrastructure Development Company Karnataka (K-RIDE). Searches at five locations linked to her revealed assets exceeding ₹9 crore, including four residential properties, three sites, three agricultural plots, vehicles worth ₹90 lakh, and ornaments valued at ₹12 lakh.
Venkatarama B, Office Assistant (Admin) at Mysuru City Corporation, was found with undeclared assets amounting to ₹3.7 crore. In Tumakuru, searches at premises related to Rajesh M, Assistant Executive Engineer at KIADB, uncovered wealth valued at ₹3.6 crore.
In Kalaburagi, Sunil Kumar, Executive Engineer in the Health and Family Welfare Department, was linked to properties and assets exceeding ₹4.3 crore.
Officials said these investigations form a broader state-wide effort to identify and prosecute corruption within government departments. Verification and legal follow-ups are underway for all implicated individuals.