Why Are Karnataka Government Officials Facing Lokayukta Raids?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Raids conducted by Karnataka Lokayukta on 12 government officials.
- Focus on allegations of disproportionate assets.
- Operations span multiple districts including Bengaluru and Udupi.
- Significant move against corruption in public service.
- Continued efforts to hold officials accountable.
Bengaluru, Oct 14 (NationPress) In a significant crackdown, Karnataka Lokayukta officials executed concurrent raids on Tuesday targeting the premises, properties, and offices of 12 government officers throughout the state, in response to allegations concerning disproportionate assets.
Initial reports indicate that the operations focused on three officials in Bengaluru, including a female officer.
The search included the residence of G. Manjunath from Mallasandra Maternity Hospital, N.K. Gangamari Gowda, the Special Land Acquisition Officer of Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited, and V. Sumangali, an officer affiliated with the Secondary Education Board, all located in Bengaluru.
In Udupi, the raids extended to the residence and commercial properties of L.P. Naik, the RTO officer, with additional searches occurring in his hometown of Karwar.
Meanwhile, in Chitradurga district, allegations regarding disproportionate assets led the Lokayukta team to raid the home of Chandra Kumar, Assistant Director of the Agriculture Department. This operation was spearheaded by Chitradurga Lokayukta SP Vasudevaram, DySP Mrutyunjaya, and PI Manjunath.
Early morning raids also targeted two residences belonging to the officer and the Agriculture Department office in Chitradurga, specifically in Taralabalu Nagar and T. Nulenoor village of Holalkere taluk.
In Bidar, Lokayukta officials executed simultaneous searches at four locations based on claims of illegal asset accumulation. The searches encompassed the residence of Dhoolappa, Assistant Director of the Agriculture Department in Aurad taluk.
The operations included his home in Guru Nanak Colony of Bidar city, another house in Kadyal village of Bhalki, the Agriculture Department's AD office in Aurad, and the Mudol office in Aurad.
Raids also took place at the residences of Jyothi Mary, a First Division Clerk in Hassan, Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) Jagadish Naik in Davanagere; Revenue Inspector and Village Accountant Ashok in Ranebennur taluk of Haveri district; in-charge CEO of Savanur Taluk Panchayat Basavesh; junior engineer Kiran from the Alamatti Right Bank Canal Office in Bagalkot; and B. S. Naduvinamani, junior engineer with Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Corporation (KFCSC).
As per initial information, operations are ongoing at multiple locations.