Lokayukta Raids in Karnataka: Officials targeted state-wide

Team Udayavani, Oct 30, 2023, 1:15 PM IST

Kalaburagi: Lokayukta officials embarked on a massive anti-corruption drive, conducting raids on government officials’ residences and properties across various districts in Karnataka. On Monday, the authorities took action, uncovering a slew of shocking revelations.

In the early hours of Monday, Lokayukta officers descended on the homes of Bidar Zonal Forest Officer Basavaraj Dange and three other government officials. The results were astounding.

In Kalaburagi, the Lokayukta team inspected a lavish two-story bungalow in Maka layout, where they stumbled upon documents related to illegal properties worth crores. Additionally, more than 300 grams of gold jewelry were discovered in the Forest Officer’s residence, which is estimated to be worth over one crore rupees. Furthermore, it was revealed that the officer owned seven acres of irrigated land in Nagarahalli, in the Vijayapur district, and an additional acre and a half of land in Kalagi Taluk.

To make matters worse, several cars registered under benami names and a licensed revolver, along with multiple liquor bottles, were found at the property. The officers expressed astonishment at the extent of the findings, emphasizing that records verification was ongoing and that numerous high-value property transfers had come to light.

The house of KBJNL EE Tippanna Annadani in Kalaburagi city was also subjected to a search, revealing an initial discovery of 20 tola gold. Simultaneously, a residence in Bhagyawanthi Nagar, Kalaburagi, yielded a substantial sum of cash, with over two lakh rupees found, along with several significant documents seized by the police. Three locations associated with Tippanna Annadani, including his private complex in Kollur, were subject to searches, and an additional raid was conducted at the office of B Gudi in Shahapura Taluk, Yadgiri district.

Meanwhile, Kalaburagi Urban Development Authority’s JD Appasaba Kamble, residing in Belagavi for two months, also found himself under the scrutiny of the Lokayukta.

Davangere in the Spotlight

Lokayukta officials extended their operations to Davangere, focusing their attention on Srinivas, the Deputy Director of Davangere Boilers. Led by Loka Yukta DySP Ramakrishna, a team of seven officers spent the day examining Srinivas’s office on PB Road, Davangere. Files were seized during the raid, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Mandya: Farm House Raids

Mandya district was not spared from the Lokayukta’s watchful eye, as they targeted the farm houses of two officials. Sewage Disposal Board Executive Engineer Balaraja’s farm house in Nanjegaudanadoddy village, Malavalli Taluk, was searched. Simultaneously, Urban Development Department’s Sasikumar in Tailur village, Maddur Taluk, faced investigation. Both officials are employed in Bangalore, and Mandya Lokayukta SP Sajeet is overseeing the inspections.

Haveri RFO Officials Under Scrutiny

Two Range Forest Officers (RFO) in the Forest Department were the focus of Lokayukta operations in Haveri. RFO Parameshwar Pelanavara and RFO Mahantesh Nyamati came under scrutiny as Lokayukta officers conducted raids in Haveri, Kurubagonda, and other locations. Multiple properties owned by the officers, including houses and a farm house, were searched, with investigations continuing to reveal further details.