Lokayukta conducts raid on 13 officials

Bangalore, Nov 3 (UNI) In a biggest ever raid, Karnataka Lokayukta today raided the houses and properties of 13 State Government officials simultaneously in Bangalore, Bellary and Bidar.

Talking to newsmen here, Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde said that this was for the first time in the history of Lokayukta such a big raid conducted at a time. The raids, conducted under Prevention of Corruption Act, were still continuing.

Additional Director General of Police (Lokayukta) Rup Kumar Datta, who spearheaded the raids, said that 16 teams were formed and swing into action at 0600 hrs on house and properties of Seven Police officers, three Motor Vehicle Inspectors and one Executive Engineer.

However, details of seizer of cash and documents can be known after completion of the raids, he added.

The Police officials on whose houses raids conducted included one Superintendent of Police, two Assistant Commissioners of Police, One Deputy Superintendent of Police and One traffic inspector. Raids were also conducted in Mysore and Chitradurga as the accused had properties there also.

Justice Hegde said with time changing and corruption becoming rampant in every department, there was a need to bring in suitable amendment to the Act as there was provision in the present Act which provides protection to the officials. " Under the present Act even for filing complaint we need to follow various procedures and by the time the rules were completed the accused will become aware and he would take steps to cover up", he added.

UNI