In a major crackdown on alleged corruption, the Karnataka Lokayukta conducted raids at the residences of 12 state officials in connection with disproportionate assets cases. The operation, involving over 100 officials, targeted 54 locations across Bengaluru, Tumakuru, Shivamogga, Yadgir, Kalaburagi, and other districts, according to official sources.
The raids began early in the morning and included extensive searches and verification of records at the premises of officials across various departments. These included the Invest Karnataka Forum, Yadgir Zilla Panchayat, Veterinary Department, Labour Department, Commercial Taxes Department, Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board, Horticulture Department, Legal Metrology, and Bhadravati Gram Panchayat.
Among the individuals under scrutiny is a municipal commissioner serving in a prominent coastal city in the state, officials disclosed.
Backdrop of the Investigation
The Lokayukta's action comes days after a significant legal development involving Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The Supreme Court recently refused to quash a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR against Shivakumar in a disproportionate assets case, dealing a setback to the senior Congress leader.
The CBI has accused Shivakumar of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income during his tenure as a minister in the previous Congress government from 2013 to 2018. The FIR, filed on September 3, 2020, alleged irregularities that Shivakumar subsequently challenged in the Karnataka High Court. However, on October 19, 2023, the high court rejected his plea, directing the CBI to complete its investigation and submit a report within three months. Shivakumar’s appeal to the Supreme Court to quash the FIR was dismissed, further intensifying scrutiny of the case.
These raids reflect the Lokayukta's ongoing commitment to tackling corruption within the state administration and ensuring accountability among public officials.
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