Have Karnataka Lokayukta Officials Raided Nine Government Officials?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Simultaneous raids across multiple districts indicate a strong stance against corruption.
- The operations target nine officials, including a police inspector.
- The focus is on homes and offices to uncover illegal assets.
- Previous raids have demonstrated the Lokayukta's commitment to transparency.
- Public trust in governance is critical for democratic integrity.
Bengaluru, June 24 (NationPress) – On Tuesday, the Karnataka Lokayukta team carried out coordinated raids across at least ten locations in eight districts, focusing on the homes, assets, and offices of nine government officials, which includes a police inspector.
The raids span across Bengaluru, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Gadag, Dharwad, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, and Kalaburagi. These operations commenced in the early hours and are currently in progress. An official announcement from the Lokayukta is pending.
As per Lokayukta sources, one raid targeted the homes of the Executive Engineer (EE) and the Project Development Officer (PDO) of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) department in Kalaburagi.
The raid specifically aimed at the residence and office of the Executive Engineer from the Kalaburagi PRI division, who is set to retire in just four days. His properties in both Bengaluru and Kalaburagi are undergoing scrutiny, as reported by insiders.
The residence of the PDO from Sannur Gram Panchayat, located in Manasa Residency on Sedam Road, along with a property in Bommanahalli village, Vijayapura district, is also being examined.
The raids were directed by Lokayukta SP B.K. Umesh and DySP Geetha Benal in Kalaburagi.
In Gadag, the home of a Circle Police Inspector in Shivanandanagar is also under investigation, along with searches at his properties in Bagalkot, Jamakhandi, and Kerur.
In Chikkamagaluru city, the residence of a female accounts officer associated with the Chikkamagaluru Municipality is being raided.
Search and seizure operations are also taking place at the office of the Associate Director of Research (Organic Farming) in Shivamogga.
Furthermore, raids are being executed at the residence of the Chief Officer of Anekal Pattana Panchayat and an engineer related to the Malaprabha Project in Dharwad.
This is not the first instance; the Karnataka Lokayukta previously conducted raids on May 31 across seven districts in connection with a disproportionate assets case, targeting multiple government officials in Udupi, Gadag, Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkot, Ballari, and Davanagere.