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In a major crackdown on alleged corruption, Lokayukta officials launched surprise raids at several locations across the state on the morning of Tuesday, June 24.

In Kalaburagi, Shivamogga, and Chikkamagaluru, homes and offices of various government officials were raided.

In Kalaburagi, the residences of Mallikarjun Alipur, an Executive Engineer (EE) of the Panchayat Raj Engineering Department, and Ramachandra, a Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) from Sannur, were searched. The raids took place at Alipur’s offices and homes in Kalaburagi and Bengaluru.

Interestingly, Mallikarjun Alipur was set to retire in four days. The raids are reportedly linked to allegations of disproportionate assets. Officials are said to be verifying documents seized during the operation.

In addition, raids were conducted at Manasa Residency on Sedam Road, allegedly linked to PDO Ramachandra, and at his house in Bommanahalli village, Vijayapura district.

Four teams of police officers carried out the inspections separately. According to preliminary reports, the family members and the officers in question have been cooperating with the investigation.

The Kalaburagi raids were led by Lokayukta SP B.K. Umesh and DySP Geetha Benahal.

Also, Lokayukta officials conducted simultaneous raids at Shivamogga, Shikaripura, and Hosanagara. The residences and properties of Dr S. Pradeep, Joint Director of the Organic Farming Division, were searched, including his home in Priyanka Layout in Shivamogga and a farmhouse in Bhadrapura, Shikaripura taluk. Another raid was also carried out in Hosanagara.

These raids were conducted under the leadership of Lokayukta SP M.H. Manjunath Chowdhury.

In Chikkamagaluru, a Lokayukta team raided the residence of Lathamani, the town municipal accountant, and scrutinised various documents. Two separate teams were deployed for the operation.