Karnataka Lokayukta Raids 21 Premises, Seizes Rs 18.20 Crore in Disproportionate Assets
Raids expose massive disproportionate assets of government officers.
In a major anti-corruption operation that underscores ongoing efforts to curb financial malfeasance within public service, Lokayukta police in Karnataka conducted extensive raids on Tuesday across 21 premises associated with four state government officials, unearthing disproportionate assets collectively valued at an astonishing Rs 18.20 crore, far exceeding their known sources of income.
The seized assets encompass immovable properties totalling Rs 14.63 crore, cash amounting to Rs 13.11 lakh, jewellery appraised at Rs 1.37 crore, and luxury vehicles worth Rs 82.1 lakh, highlighting a pattern of alleged illicit wealth accumulation through abuse of official positions in various districts including Mandya, Dharwad, Hospet, and Shivamogga.
The investigation into Byresh VS, Office Superintendent in the Panchayat Raj Engineering Division at Mandya Zilla Panchayat, revealed disproportionate assets of Rs 3.18 crore, comprising multiple sites, a residential house, agricultural land, substantial ornaments, vehicles, and household items. Suspicions were initially triggered during a surprise inspection by Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa in June, which exposed irregular financial transactions inconsistent with his modest monthly salary of Rs 90,000.
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In Vijayanagara district's Hospet, District Health Officer LR Shankar Naik was found in possession of disproportionate assets worth Rs 4.89 crore, including 11 sites, five houses, cash reserves, and ornaments, while in Shivamogga, Executive Engineer Roopla Naik S of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department held assets valued at Rs 4.04 crore, featuring numerous sites, houses, agricultural land, and high-value jewellery.
The most substantial haul of Rs 6.07 crore was linked to Rajashekar Erappa Bijapur, Joint Director of the Vigilance Cell in the Agriculture Department based in Dharwad, who owned extensive real estate holdings, vehicles, ornaments, and household articles. In a desperate attempt to conceal evidence, Bijapur reportedly flushed Rs 50,000 in cash down a toilet just as Lokayukta teams arrived at his residence, further intensifying scrutiny into his conduct.
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