BBMP engineer, six officials under Lokayukta corruption scanner
In an extensive crackdown on corruption, the Karnataka Lokayukta raided 27 locations across the state, unearthing assets worth over Rs 18 crore linked to seven government officials. The raids, conducted on Friday, exposed vast amounts of unaccounted wealth in the form of real estate, jewellery, cash, and investments. Among the officials under the scanner, Madhav Rao, an Assistant Executive Engineer at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), was found in possession of assets worth Rs 8.57 crore, including seven sites, two houses, and an extensive 48.27 acres of agricultural land. The findings also included Rs 97,200 in cash, Rs 55 lakh in jewellery, and vehicles valued at Rs 50 lakh. The scale of the discoveries raises questions about the unchecked accumulation of wealth in public service and its broader implications on governance.
Financial irregularities were widespread among the other officials raided. Deputy Secretary of Bengaluru Rural Zilla Panchayat, T K Ramesh, was found to have amassed assets worth Rs 2.21 crore, including multiple real estate holdings, vehicles, and gold. Meanwhile, in Chitradurga, K C Shashidhar, a manager in the District Backward Classes Welfare Department, was found in possession of assets worth Rs 1.78 crore, including a house, a plot of land, and 9.14 acres of agricultural property. Additionally, Sachin Basavant Mandedar, a First Division Assistant in the Belagavi North Sub-Registrar Office, held Rs 2.50 crore in assets, spread across real estate, under-construction properties, and substantial investments in mutual funds and equity markets. The revelations paint a grim picture of the unchecked financial gains made by government officials, casting a shadow over public trust in the system.
The findings also highlight the systemic issue of financial misconduct in different sectors of public administration. Veterinary Inspector Sanjay Annappa Durgannavar from Belagavi district had amassed Rs 74.07 lakh worth of assets, including four real estate properties and agricultural land. Meanwhile, in Bagalakote, Shivalingaiah Panchaksharaiah Hiremath, a Panchayat Development Officer, held Rs 1.43 crore in assets. Additionally, Assistant Accounts Officer Narasinga Rao Gujjar from Raichuru was found to possess wealth worth Rs 1.20 crore, including five sites, two houses, and significant cash and jewellery reserves. The Lokayukta’s crackdown signals the need for stricter scrutiny in financial transparency within government roles, as such disproportionate assets undermine public confidence in governance. The accumulation of illicit wealth at such a scale also poses serious civic challenges, with funds that could have been used for development and urban infrastructure instead finding their way into private coffers.
Beyond financial accountability, the raids bring attention to the sustainability aspect of corruption. The unchecked accumulation of wealth in the form of excessive landholdings, luxury assets, and speculative investments contributes to rising urban inequality. The hoarding of resources by a handful of officials not only deprives local communities of essential civic benefits but also exacerbates disparities in housing and land availability. The fact that large tracts of agricultural land were seized in the raids indicates how corruption can directly impact rural economies, leading to distortions in land usage. Ensuring that such illicitly acquired properties are reinvested in public welfare projects will be a crucial step towards restoring transparency and fairness in governance. The Lokayukta’s action is a wake-up call to the growing need for systemic reform and proactive monitoring of public officials’ financial dealings.
