Massive Raids Unveil Rs 50 Crore Disproportionate Assets in Karnataka

The Karnataka Lokayukta conducted extensive raids at various locations connected to 13 state government officials across five districts, unveiling approximately Rs 50 crore in ill-gotten wealth. The highest disproportionate assets were traced to Athar Ali, Legal Metrology Deputy Controller. Raids covered officials from various departments such as the Mangaluru City Corporation and the Industries and Commerce Department.

The Karnataka Lokayukta executed sweeping raids across diverse locations linked to 13 state government officials on Friday, targeting cases of disproportionate assets.

The searches, conducted across five districts, revealed ill-gotten wealth totaling Rs 50 crore.

Legal Metrology Deputy Controller Athar Ali emerged as the highest offender, allegedly amassing assets worth Rs 8.63 crore. His possessions include four plots, three houses valued at Rs 5.82 crore, Rs 25.19 lakh in cash, ornaments worth Rs 2.08 crore, vehicles, and household items amounting to Rs 37.45 lakh.

Mangaluru City Municipal Commissioner C L Anand was found to have accumulated assets worth Rs 2.78 crore, including three houses and 4.7 acres of agricultural land. Anand, a senior Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) officer, was appointed as Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner in June 2023. His transfer was canceled in July after he appealed to the state government.

Additional Director in Industries and Commerce Department C T Muddu Kumar, on deputation as Chief Operating Officer at the Invest Karnataka Forum, was also searched. Officials identified disproportionate assets worth Rs 7.41 crore, including three houses, 6.20 acres of agricultural land, and a farmhouse. He also possessed ornaments valued at Rs 88.76 lakh.

Other officials whose premises were searched include Hebbagodi City Municipal Council Commissioner K Narasimha Murthy, Yadgir Zilla Panchayat Project Director Balwant Rathod, and Senior Veterinary Officer in Bengaluru Rural district R Siddappa. Raids also targeted the premises of Commercial Taxes Joint Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, Antargange Gram Panchayat president Nagesh B Gowda in Bhadravati Taluk, Horticulture Department Deputy Director Prakash, and Mandya Labour Officer Chetan Kumar.

The operations spanned Bengaluru, Tumakuru, Shimoga, Yadgiri, and Kalaburgi, involving over 100 sleuths at 54 locations.