The Karnataka Lokayukta Police on Tuesday conducted simultaneous search operations across the state, uncovering disproportionate assets worth Rs 19.2 crore from four government officers accused of amassing wealth beyond their known sources of income.
The raids took place at over 17 locations, including the residences, offices, and relatives’ houses of the accused officers in Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Karwar, and Raichur districts. Authorities discovered 93 acres of land, as well as Rs 1.37 crore worth of jewellery and other assets disproportionate to the income of the accused.
The largest asset haul was associated with Maruthi Yashwanth Malvi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Group of Kolsiri Co-operative Society in Siddapur, Uttara Kannada district. Searches conducted at four locations revealed assets worth Rs 9.89 crore, including seven sites, four houses, and one commercial complex valued at Rs 9.17 crore. Additionally, cash, and jewellery worth Rs 8.22 lakh, and vehicles valued at Rs 62 lakh were found.
D Vijayalakshmi, assistant executive engineer, the Rural Drinking Water Supply and Sanitary Department, Sindhanur Sub-Division, Raichur, was found to possess assets worth Rs 4.09 crore. The searches at five locations uncovered 12 sites, two houses, and 73 acres of agricultural land, along with cash, ornaments, vehicles, and bank balances.
Mallappa Hanamanthappa Yarazari, assistant director of the agriculture department in Basavana Bagewadi, Vijayapura, was found with assets worth Rs 2.57 crore. This included three sites, two houses, over 20 acres of agricultural land, Rs 14.42 lakh in cash, ornaments worth Rs 86.47 lakh, and vehicles valued at Rs 21 lakh.
Shamasundar Maruthi Kamble, assistant secretary, Bagalkot zilla panchayath, had accumulated assets worth Rs 2.04 crore, comprising 15 sites, three houses, jewellery worth Rs 28.26 lakh, and other movable assets.
During these operations, the Lokayukta Police seized cash to the tune of Rs 19.05 lakh, jewellery valued at Rs 1.37 crore, and vehicles valued at Rs 1.01 crore.