In a sweeping anti-corruption operation, Karnataka Lokayukta sleuths raided properties linked to five government officials on Tuesday, targeting suspected disproportionate assets in Hassan, Chikkabalapura, Chitradurga, and Bengaluru. The raids, prompted by credible complaints of illicit wealth, uncovered a lavish bungalow owned by a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) revenue officer, raising questions about the sources of such opulence.

The officials under scrutiny include Jayanna R, Executive Engineer, NHAI Division, Hassan; Anjaneya Murthy M, Junior Engineer, Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Chikkabalapura; Dr. Venkatesh, Taluk Health Officer, Hiriyur, Chitradurga; N. Venkatesh, Revenue Officer, BBMP Dasarahalli sub-division, Shettihalli, Bengaluru; and K. Om Prakash, Senior Assistant Horticulture Director, BDA Head Office, Bengaluru. The Lokayukta is meticulously examining documents, cash, and property records to identify unaccounted wealth, with a particular focus on N. Venkatesh’s extravagant Bengaluru bungalow, valued far beyond his known income.

This operation follows a pattern of intensified Lokayukta crackdowns. On July 23, raids across Bengaluru, Mysuru, and other districts targeted eight officials, unearthing assets worth ₹37.71 crore, including ₹9.02 crore linked to IAS officer Vasanti Amar. Earlier, January raids in Bengaluru, Belagavi, and Chitradurga seized assets worth over ₹18 crore, including ₹8.57 crore from BBMP’s Madhav Rao. In 2024, Lokayukta operations recovered over ₹150 crore in illicit assets, signaling a relentless drive against corruption.

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Conducted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the raids involved over 50 locations, with teams led by Superintendent of Police Vamshikrishna and Deputy SP Hanumantharai. While specific findings remain undisclosed, sources hint at significant hauls of cash, gold, and property documents. The ongoing investigations aim to trace the origins of these assets, amid public outcry over systemic corruption. As Karnataka’s Lokayukta continues its aggressive stance, these raids underscore a broader commitment to transparency, though their long-term impact on governance remains under scrutiny.

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