Karnataka Lokayukta conducts statewide raids in disproportionate assets probe

The Karnataka Lokayukta on Tuesday launched search operations across multiple districts in connection with disproportionate asset allegations involving five government officials. Raids were conducted in Bengaluru, Chitradurga, Chikkaballapur, and Hassan, targeting residences, offices, farmhouses, and properties linked to the accused.

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The officials under investigation include N Venkatesh, a Revenue Officer with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike; K Om Prakash, Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture at the Bangalore Development Authority; Dr Venkatesh, Health Officer in Hiriyur taluk; Anjaneya Murthy M, a Junior Engineer from the Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department in Chikkaballapur; and Jayanna R, Executive Engineer with the National Highways Authority of India in Hassan.

These developments follow a similar operation conducted on July 23, when Lokayukta officials raided 41 premises associated with eight government functionaries across Bengaluru, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Kalaburagi, Koppal, and Kodagu. Among those raided was Dr Vasanti Amar B V, Special Deputy Commissioner of Rail Infrastructure Development Company (K-RIDE), from whose properties assets valued over ₹9 crore were recovered.

Other officials named in the earlier probe include Venkatarama B of Mysore City Corporation and Rajesh M of the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board, each reportedly possessing assets worth several crores. In Kalaburagi, properties linked to Sunil Kumar of the Health and Family Welfare Department also came under scrutiny, with assets exceeding ₹4.3 crore uncovered. Investigations are ongoing.