The Karnataka Lokayukta conducted simultaneous raids at various locations connected to government officials in Bengaluru, Dharwad, Shivamogga, and Raichur. In Bengaluru South district, the raids targeted the residence, office, and properties associated with the Kumbalagodu Panchayat Development Officer (PDO), led by the Bengaluru South District Lokayukta Superintendent of Police, Sneha.
Search operations were carried out at three places in Belagavadi village of Magadi taluk, including the farmhouse, his brother’s residence, and his nephew’s house. Additionally, raids were conducted at four other sites in Bengaluru, where officials examined documents and records.
In a separate operation, the Lokayukta raided properties linked to the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) in Shivamogga, with searches ongoing at his office in Shivamogga and residence in Dharwad. The ACF’s luxury house in the Doddanayakanakoppa area of Dharwad, along with a farmhouse on Alnavar Road and a factory in the industrial zone, were also searched.
Led by Shivamogga Lokayukta Inspector Veerabasappa Kushalapura and Dharwad Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Siddalingappa, the searches are continuing at all identified properties. Meanwhile, in Raichur district, Lokayukta officials conducted raids on the premises of a KBJNL Executive Engineer (EE), searching his office, residence in Chikkahonnakuni village of Devadurga taluk, and the houses of his relatives.
Further details are awaited as the searches progress. Notably, the Lokayukta police recently searched seven locations in Bengaluru related to three government officials, including M.K. Jagadish, Special Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru; B.R. Manjunath, Tahsildar; and Rajanikanth, Shirastedar, over allegations of criminal misconduct while performing official duties.
According to the Lokayukta Police, these officials allegedly misappropriated over 13 acres of government land at Hunasamaranahalli, off the airport road, for private individuals, causing financial loss to the exchequer. The searches were conducted based on court warrants and with permission from the state government under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
