Major Anti-Corruption Operation Targets Karnataka Government Officials
In a sweeping crackdown on alleged corruption, the Karnataka Lokayukta police executed simultaneous raids across multiple districts on Thursday morning. The operation focused on disproportionate assets cases involving government officials suspected of accumulating wealth beyond their legitimate income sources.
Widespread Raids Across Karnataka
The coordinated raids commenced around 6 AM and spanned numerous locations including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hassan, Mandya, Gadag, Yadgir, Hubballi, Vijayapura, and Bagalkot. Senior engineers and officials from various government departments are currently under investigation for allegedly possessing assets that exceed their known sources of income.
Chief Engineer's Properties Searched
One of the most significant operations targeted Vasanth Vallappa Nayak, the chief engineer of the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (KRIDCL). Lokayukta officials from Bagalkot, Belagavi, and Dharwad conducted searches at multiple properties connected to Nayak.
The raids included his residence in Hubballi's Akshaya Colony, along with several other locations. Investigators also examined houses belonging to his family members, including his house in Billakerur village of Bagalkot district, his mother's house in Basavanagar, and his brother's house in Postal Colony.
Sources revealed that Nayak had been transferred to Bengaluru in April last year, where he currently serves as chief engineer. Lokayukta officials are verifying information about multiple sites allegedly owned by him in Hubballi.
Document and Digital Evidence Collection
During the extensive raids, the Lokayukta team meticulously examined crucial documents related to property holdings, financial transactions, and other records. Numerous documents and digital devices were reportedly seized for further forensic analysis and investigation.
The operation was initiated based on specific complaints alleging that officials possessed assets disproportionate to their known income sources. However, the Lokayukta has not yet officially disclosed detailed information about the ongoing cases.
Sources within the Lokayukta indicated that further action will be determined after comprehensive analysis of the seized documents. If necessary, the concerned officials may be summoned for detailed questioning in the coming days.
Junior Engineer and School Property Raided
In another significant development, Lokayukta officials conducted raids on Prakash PG, a junior engineer with the Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam Limited (KBJNL), in Vijayapura district. Searches were executed at his office and residence in Indi, along with properties linked to him in Bengaluru's Mahadevapura and Humnabad in Bidar district.
Interestingly, the Lokayukta team also searched a school reportedly registered in the name of his wife, examining documents related to its ownership structure and financial operations.
Additional Raids in Gadag District
Meanwhile, in Gadag district, Lokayukta officials conducted raids at six locations connected to MK Surakod, the taluk Backward Classes welfare officer. The searches encompassed his house in Vishweshwara Layout and other properties associated with him.
Lokayukta sources confirmed that investigations are actively progressing, with further details expected to emerge following thorough scrutiny of the confiscated records and evidence.
