Lok Ayukta raids, unearth 'tainted' money from Govt officials

Bangalore, Jan 31 (UNI) The Lok Ayukta sleuths today conducted raids on the offices and residences of ten Karnataka Government officials across the State and unearthed crore of Rupees of 'ill gotten wealth'.

Speaking to UNI here, Lok Ayukta Mr Justice Santosh Hegde said he would intensify the crackdown on corrupt officials. ''We have conducted 37 raids in January and nothing will stop me from cracking the whip on these corrupt people,'' he said.

He, however expressed disappointment over reports in a section of the media which opposed publishing names of those against whom raids were conducted.

''We are not doing this for publicity. Everyone should understand our intention,'' he said.

Lok Ayukta Spokesperson Syed Riyaz said today's action included raids on the premises of Social Welfare Commissioner Baburaj Mudabi in Bangalore, Public Rights Directorate Superintendent of Police Pitambar Hazare in Gulbarga, senior official of Industries and Commerce department Srishaila P Kolar and Subramanya, Additional SP of Bellary S P Rajappa and Circle Inspector Revanna of Davangere.

''The search is still on and the estimation of ill gotten wealth is yet to be done. But it runs into crores of Rupees. IAS officer Mudabi had misappropriated even the World Bank funds meant for poor people,'' he said.

Huge amounts of cash, jewels, documents of land ownership and pass books had been seized.

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