Lokayukta raids Karnataka officials in disproportionate assets case across state

BENGALURU: The Karnataka Lokayukta police on Thursday conducted simultaneous raids on govt officials alleged to possess disproportionate assets (DA). According to Lokayukta police, the raids were conducted on properties linked to seven govt officials in Bengaluru city, Bengaluru district, Tumakuru district, Yadgir district, Mangaluru city, and Vijayapura district.The tainted officers are identified as Additional Director, Directorate of Urban and Rural Planning, Murali TV; Inspector, Legal Metrology, Bengaluru, HR Nataraj; Second Division Assistant, Taluk Office Hoskote, Bengaluru Rural, Anant Kumar; Project Director, Nirmiti Kendra, Tumakuru, Rajshekar; Survey Supervisor, Dakshina Kannada, Manjunath; Renuka Satarle, Officer in Dr BR Ambedkar Abhivrudhi Nigama, Vijayapura; and Officer in Shahpur Taluk, Yadgiri district, Umakanth.The police said the raids were conducted in 12 locations in Bengaluru city, eight locations in Bengaluru district, seven locations in Tumakuru, five locations in Yadgiri, four locations in Mangaluru, and four in Vijayapura.The Lokayukta police received complaints about these seven officials alleging corruption and possession of DA. The police team conducted a basic investigation into the properties owned by the govt officials, their family members, and relatives. Accordingly, separate cases of DA were registered in respective Lokayukta police stations.The raid began at 6 am and continued under the supervision of the superintendent of police of respective cities and districts. Deputy superintendent of police, police inspectors, and staff are part of the raids. The officials are yet to reveal the findings of valuables, including immovable and movable assets, found in the properties belonging to the govt officials.