Lokayukta officials on Friday raided the home of Kalakappa Nidagundi, a former clerk with the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL), and found properties and assets worth over ₹30 crore, far more than what he could afford on his ₹15,000 monthly salary.

During the raid, officials found 24 houses, 4 plots, 40 acres of farmland, 4 vehicles, 350 grams of gold, and 1.5 kg of silver. These properties were in the names of Nidagundi, his wife, and her brother. Officials believe that Nidagundi, along with a former KRIDL engineer, ZM Chincholkar, misused funds worth ₹72 crore by creating fake documents for 96 incomplete development projects.

Ongoing Lokayukta raids

Lokayukta officers have been carrying out raids across Karnataka to catch government officials with assets that don’t match their income. Earlier this week, raids were held in Hassan, Chikkabalapura, Chitradurga, and Bengaluru. Officials raided five government officers, including engineers, a health officer, a revenue officer, and a horticulture director.

On July 23, officials also searched 41 locations connected to eight officials, including an IAS officer, in a similar case. They recovered wealth worth ₹37.42 crore. Among those raided was IAS officer Vasanthi Amar B V, working with K-RIDE on the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project.During the raid, officials found assets worth ₹9.03 crore, including three sites, four houses, three acres of farmland, gold worth ₹12 lakh, and vehicles worth ₹90 lakh. These raids are part of Lokayukta’s efforts to tackle corruption and uncover wealth gathered illegally by public servants.