In a recent turn of events specific to Ballari, the Karnataka Lokayukta conducted unannounced raids at multiple locations, homing in on government officials suspected of accumulating disproportionate assets valued at a staggering Rs 38 crore. These far-reaching operations stretched across various regions, encompassing Bengaluru, Tumkur, Mandya, Chitradurga, Udupi, Hasana, Ballari, Raichur, Kalburgi, Belagavi, and Haveri. The searches unearthed an array of assets, including cash, gold, real estate, luxury vehicles, land investments, stocks, and high-end gadgets, culminating in the registration of 17 cases.
In Ballari, the spotlight was on K Manjunath, a Revenue Officer stationed at the Tahsildar Office. The searches spanned three different locations and led to the discovery of movable assets valued at approximately Rs 30.79 lakh, contributing to a total worth of Rs 30.79 lakh. The estimated value of disproportionate assets (DA) in this case stood at 122.28 percent.
One of the officials under scrutiny, Chandrappa K B, an Assistant Revenue Officer in Hegganahalli Sub-Division, Dasarahalli Zone, BBMP, Bengaluru, had his residence and office subjected to the Lokayukta’s thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, Ballari was not exempt from these raids, as Revenue Inspector Manjunath, stationed at the Ballari tahsildar’s office, came under the Lokayukta’s scrutiny. Lokayukta officers, led by Superintendent of Police M.N. Shashidhar and Hospet Circle Inspector Suresh Babu, conducted searches at Manjunath’s residence in Guggarahatti and his office at the tahsildar’s office. It was revealed that before his recent assignment in Ballari, Manjunath had served in a similar capacity in Toranagal.
These raids were prompted by allegations of the accused accumulating assets well beyond their known sources of income, as reported by sources within the Lokayukta.
The extensive search operations also extended to other regions like Kalaburagi, where three officers faced investigations. The premises of Tippanna Gowda, an executive engineer associated with Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Ltd., Basavaraj Dange, Bidar Range Forest Officer, and S.S. Kambale, Joint Director of Town and Country Planning, were all targeted.
Furthermore, in Raichur, Sharanappa Patted, Director of Planning at the Centre for Ash Utilisation Technology and Environment Conservation (CASHUTEC) and Nirmithi Kendra, had his office and residences raided. The raids yielded findings such as gold ornaments and cash.
Overall, these operations resulted in the discovery of significant immovable and movable assets, collectively valued at Rs 2,15,79,000, with a staggering disproportionate asset value of 156.09%. Another official, Srinivas S R, Deputy Director of Boilers and Factories in Davanagere and In Charge of Mysore and Shivamogga, faced searches in 10 locations. The investigation unveiled immovable assets worth Rs 2,30,00,000, movable assets amounting to Rs 59,00,000, and a total value of 2,89,00,000, with a disproportionate asset value of 290.00%.
