Lokayukta raids on officials across the state

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Lokayukta sleuths on Tuesday carried out searches against 13 government officers at more than 70 locations across Karnataka in connection with disproportionate assets cases.

Lokayukta sources said huge amounts of cash, jewellery, incriminating documents related to investments, plush houses and high-end vehicles have been seized during the searches.

"The raids are happening against 13 officials. Searches are going on in more than 70 locations," Lokayukta Inspector General of Police Dr A Subramanyeshwara Rao said.

He said three of the officials are posted in Bengaluru. A team of about 200 personnel conducted raids at three locations in Bengaluru and two each in Kalaburagi and Bidar, Ballari, Koppal, Chikkaballapur, Mysuru, Kolar and Dharwad.

In Bengaluru, a team of the Lokayukta police raided Bescom Executive Engineer (Jayanagar subdivision) HD Channakeshava at Amruthahalli, Jakkur, and found Rs 6 lakh in cash, 3 kg of gold, 28 kg of silver, diamonds worth Rs 25 lakh, property documents, all totalling to Rs 1.5 crore.

They also found Rs 92 lakh in cash at his brother’s house. The raid was conducted at Channakeshava's apartment at Mithun White Water in Amruthahalli.

The Lokayukta officials arranged for medicines to stabilise Channakeshava's blood pressure during the raid. It is worth noting that Channakeshava was part of the Bescom team which had raided former CM HD Kumaraswamy’s house for illuminating it by drawing illegal power.

Teams of the Lokayukta police also raided five premises belonging to HS Krishnamurthy, chief executive of the Kaniminike Milk Producers’ Cooperative Society, Kumbalgod, and uncovered assets worth crores. Shockingly, Krishnamurthy, who draws a salary of Rs 16,000 per month, had amassed hug e wealth.

Though the cooperative society generates Rs 2 lakh revenue daily, Krishnamurthy showed earnings of only Rs 10,000. He would allegedly buy milk from farmers separately and sell it to apartments and private schools.

Another team raided five locations belonging to Bescom DGM (vigilance) TN Sudhakar Reddy including his house at Defence Colony near Sathanur close to Bagalur Cross. Sudhakar Reddy has been working in the post for the last 2.5 years at the KR Circle office in Bengaluru.

Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Vamshi Krishna said raids were conducted on five locations linked to Reddy including agricultural land in Chikkaballapur.