The Karnataka Lokayukta on Tuesday conducted searches at multiple locations linked to Congress MLA T D Rajegowda. This comes days after a special court ordered fresh Lokayukta investigations into the alleged disproportionate assets and misuse of power involving the MLA and others.
According to Lokayukta officials, the searches were being carried out at four locations, including Rajegowda’s residence in Basapura village in Khandya Hobli in Chikmagalur district, and his farmhouse. The searches began on Tuesday morning with officers collecting relevant documents and evidence.
The development follows a private complaint filed by Koppa resident Dinesh H K, based on which the special court for public representatives ordered an inquiry.
On September 23, the Lokayukta police registered an FIR against Rajegowda, his wife D K Pushpa, and son Rajdev TR.
What are the allegations against Rajegowda?
In the complaint, Dinesh H K alleged that Rajegowda, his wife and their son accumulated disproportionate wealth through transactions involving the partnership firm, M/s Shaban Ramzan. While Rajegowda declared his annual income as merely Rs 40 lakh, Dinesh alleged that Pushpa held 48 per cent stakes in the firm.
Pushpa and Rajdev were allegedly inducted into the firm as partners after Amarthya Siddhartha and Ishaan Hegde, children of the late V G Siddhartha, the owner of Cafe Coffee Day, stepped down. Amarthya is married to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s daughter Aishwarya.
Puspa and her son allegedly discharged a mortgage loan of Rs 55.75 crore to Standard Chartered Bank; on the same day, a discharge deed was also registered, evidencing the payment of Rs 42 lakh to State Bank of India. The complaint averments indicate that thereafter the accused allegedly paid a sum of Rs 66 crore to Bank of Baroda and Rs 81.95 lakh to Karnataka Bank, the petition said.
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Dinesh also alleged that Rajegowda had misused his position to defraud the government and the income tax department and that his family had accumulated wealth far exceeding their known income sources.
In the 2023 Assembly elections, Rajegowda, who is known as a Shivakumar loyalist, was elected from Sringeri for the second time.