In a coordinated anti-corruption operation, Lokayukta police conducted searches at the residences of multiple officials across three localities in Davanagere — SS Layout, Shivakumaraswamy Layout, and Anjaneya Layout. The raids were overseen by Davanagere Lokayukta SP MS Kaulapure.
Raids in Davanagere
Early Tuesday morning, a Lokayukta team searched the residence of Siddeshwar Hebbal, an official with the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, at 7th Cross in Anjaneya Layout. Reports indicate that raids were also conducted at four other premises linked to Hebbal, including his office in Hubballi.
In a separate case, Lokayukta police searched the residence of Krishna Nayak, secretary of the Chitradurga Barren Area Development Authority, located in SS Layout. Simultaneous searches were carried out at other locations, including the Chitradurga office.
Sources said that a property in Shivakumaraswamy Layout belonging to Belagavi KRIDL superintending engineer Sanna Kenchappa was also searched.
Raids in Kalaburagi and Bidar
In Kalaburagi and Bidar, Lokayukta officials on Tuesday conducted simultaneous raids on the residence and properties linked to Manikrao Kanakatti, a retired superintendent engineer of the RDPR department, and unearthed alleged assets worth crores during the initial phase of the searches. The raids were conducted at five locations, including Kanakatti’s residence in Godutai Nagar in Kalaburagi. He had retired from service just two weeks ago.
A team led by Lokayukta SP Siddaraju launched the operation based on specific inputs. Apart from Kalaburagi, officials also searched several properties owned by Kanakatti in Bidar district.
As officials began scrutinising documents, they reportedly recovered records of assets valued at several crores. Preliminary findings include two commercial complexes in Humnabad, two luxury houses in Kalaburagi, and documents related to a 20-acre orchard and a farmhouse at Hallikhed village in Bidar district.
Sources said Kanakatti was in Bengaluru when the raids were conducted. Lokayukta officials have directed him to return, and he is expected to appear for questioning.
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