Raids net assets worth Rs 8 cr

The value of the assets was far above the officials’ known sources of income, Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde said  here on Thursday. The raids were conducted simultaneously in Sirsi, Gulbarga, Ron, Mangalore, Kadur, Davangere, Surpur, Udupi, Chikkaballapura and Bommanahalli.

Among the officials whose residences were raided were K Ramarao (CPI, Sirsi Circle), Eranna Gowada (FDA, MSIL Gulbarga), Umapathi (AE, PWD, Ron), NT Rajagopal (EE, Minor Irrigation Department, Mangalore), E Anjan Kumar (EO, Kadur), Hanumanthappa (AE, PWD, Davangere), Jayaram Somappa Kattimani (FDA, ZP engineering sub-division, Surpur), M Parameshwara (sub-registrar, Udupi), Vishnutheertha (sub-registrar, Chikkaballapur) and Cheluvaraju (sub-registrar, Bommanahalli), Hegde said.

Among these officers, N T Rajagopal topped the list with assets disproportionate to known sources of income worth more than Rs 1.26 crore, while Umpathi is at the bottom with property worth Rs 67 lakh.

Eranna Gowda is the most “interesting” officer as he owns two wine shops in the names of his brother and brother-in-law. He possesses four high-end model cars, one goods van and one pick-up van besides three two-wheelers. “Does an FDA require these many vehicles?” Hegde asked. N T Rajagopal owns three high-end model cars, 600 gram gold, two houses and one building, all valued at more than Rs 62 lakh.

E Anjan Kumar owns several pieces of land in different survey numbers. He has just one
car and a moped to his credit. Hanumanthappa owns 9.13 acres of land in his father’s name and two tractors and trailors.

Vishnutheerhta’s agent told the Lokayukta that he transported money in three gunny bags belonging to Vishnutheerhta in 2007. The agent’s statement would be recorded before the magistrate soon, Hegde said. Cheluvaraju also owns four sites, land and other valuables, he added.

‘Declare assets’

The Lokayukta will soon send a letter to the State government directing it to make it mandatory for government officers to declare their assets before their higher-ups every year, reports DHNS from Bangalore.

Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde on Thursday said, “If officials declare their assets every year, then the Lokayukta will get details easily and it will also prevent the news of possible raids from being leaked. Some officers manage to get tipped off about possible raids from their departmental sources,” he said.