Lokayukta Seizes ₹38 Crore from Corrupt Karnataka Officials, 12 Officials Suspended
Raids expose lavish assets of 12 govt workers across state.
Karnataka Lokayukta police conducted simultaneous raids on October 14, 2025, at 48 locations across nine districts, unearthing disproportionate assets (DA) worth ₹38.10 crore allegedly amassed by 12 state government officials. The operation, triggered by intelligence inputs on illicit wealth accumulation, targeted residences, offices, and relatives' properties in Bengaluru, Bengaluru Rural, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Haveri, Bidar, Udupi, Bagalkot, and Hassan. Officials recovered ₹24.34 crore in immovable assets like houses, sites, and farmland; movable assets including jewels and shares totaling crores; and ₹1.20 crore in cash, with a staggering ₹83.09 lakh stash found in one Bidar official's home.
The raids, involving over 100 Lokayukta sleuths, mark one of the largest single-day asset seizures in recent Karnataka history, highlighting systemic graft in sectors like education, agriculture, and infrastructure. All 12 officials have been placed under suspension pending inquiry, with FIRs registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Further probes will trace asset sources, bank records, and potential benami holdings, as per Lokayukta Director-General Basavaraj J.S. Patil.
Key findings spotlight high-profile cases. In Bengaluru, suspended Director of State School Education V. Sumangala at Hosakerehalli allegedly held ₹7.32 crore in DA, including ₹5.08 crore in immovable properties (four sites, five houses, 19 acres of farmland) and ₹2.24 crore movable assets (over ₹1 crore in ornaments and ₹96.73 lakh in shares). N. Chandrashekar, Assistant Director of Agriculture in Chitradurga's Holalkere, faced scrutiny for ₹5.14 crore DA, comprising ₹4.02 crore immovable assets (four sites, three houses, 15 acres 8 guntas land) and ₹1.12 crore movable, including ₹60.39 lakh in gold. N.K. Gangamarigowda, Surveyor at KIADB in Bengaluru Rural, allegedly possessed ₹4.66 crore DA, with ₹3.58 crore immovable (two sites, two houses) and ₹1.08 crore movable, including ₹7.73 lakh cash.
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Other targeted officials include Manjunatha G., Medical Officer at Bengaluru's Mallasandra Maternity Hospital (₹3.24 crore DA); Jagadeesh Nayka K.H., Assistant Engineer at KRIDL in Davanagere (₹2.04 crore); Jyothi Mary, First Division Clerk in Hassan (estimated ₹1.6-2 crore); Revenue Inspector Ashok in Haveri (₹1.8 crore); Basavesh, in-charge CEO of Savanur Taluk Panchayat (₹2.1 crore); Junior Engineer Kiran in Bagalkot (₹1.9 crore); B.S. Naduvinamani, Junior Engineer at KFCSC (₹2.2 crore); Dhoolappa, Assistant Director of Horticulture in Bidar (₹3.93 crore); and unnamed officials in Udupi with similar holdings.
This operation underscores Karnataka's ongoing battle against corruption, where Lokayukta raids have surged 25% year-on-year, per state vigilance reports. From 2020-2025, over ₹500 crore in illicit assets were seized statewide, often linked to departmental approvals and land deals. Experts attribute the trend to post-pandemic recovery pressures and lax oversight in rural postings. The state government has directed enhanced vigilance, including digital asset tracking for officials earning above ₹50,000 monthly. Public reaction on social media demands faster prosecutions, with #LokayuktaRaids trending. Investigations continue, with auctions of seized properties planned post-verification to recover public funds.
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