Lokayukta Raids Unearth Rs 49.8 Crore and Expose Hunasamaranahalli Land Scam

The Karnataka Lokayukta conducted extensive search operations across more than 53 locations, including Hunasamaranahalli and Kumbalaguru, uncovering assets worth approximately Rs 49.83 crore and exposing the illegal allotment of government land. The raids, which took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, targeted 10 government officers, including senior officials from Bengaluru district.

On Tuesday, Lokayukta officials searched premises linked to M K Jagadish, the Special Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru district, Tahsildar B R Manjunath, and clerk Rajanikanth. This operation followed allegations of a wrongful allotment of over 13 acres of government land in Hunasamaranahalli to private individuals, which caused a significant financial loss to the state government. Officials obtained warrants after registering a case and seized documents from offices and residences.

On Wednesday, the Lokayukta expanded its search operations to target disproportionate assets cases. The total assets uncovered included Rs 37.95 crore in immovable property and Rs 11.88 crore in movable property.

Among those raided in Bengaluru was Narendra Kumar M, an Assistant Engineer with the Public Works Department at K R Circle. The search on his properties revealed immovable assets worth Rs 5.95 crore, including three houses and four acres of agricultural land, alongside movable assets worth Rs 2.56 crore. His total disproportionate assets were valued at Rs 5.75 crore.

Praveen Srihari B, a Superintendent Engineer at the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited in Bengaluru, was also targeted. The search unearthed two sites, two houses, and 11 acres of agricultural land valued at Rs 4.60 crore, alongside movable assets worth Rs 1.28 crore. His disproportionate assets were valued at Rs 4.33 crore.

In Bengaluru South, the Lokayukta raided Thimmaiah, a Panchayat Development Officer at Kumbalaguru Grama Panchayath. His assets included two sites, four houses, and agricultural land valued at Rs 2.53 crore, with Rs 1.19 crore in movable assets. His disproportionate assets were valued at Rs 3.51 crore.

Pushpa D R, the Additional Director of Administration at the Agricultural Marketing Board head office in Bengaluru, was found with immovable assets worth Rs 7.37 crore and movable assets worth Rs 78.22 lakh, with a total disproportionate assets value of Rs 5.93 crore.

Lokayukta officials confirmed that they have seized documents from the offices and residences of the accused officers and are continuing their investigations.