Fri Aug 01 06:39:56 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
**Summary:**
Lokayukta officials in Karnataka have been actively raiding government officials suspected of corruption. Recent raids on a former clerk at KRIDL, Kalakappa Nidagundi, uncovered over Rs 30 crore in unaccounted assets, including multiple properties, gold, silver, and vehicles. Nidagundi and a former engineer allegedly siphoned off Rs 72 crore through fraudulent project documentation. These raids are part of a larger effort by Lokayukta to target officials with disproportionate assets, with previous raids uncovering significant wealth and implicating officials at various levels, including an IAS officer.
**News Article:**
**Ex-Clerk Amasses Rs 30 Crore Fortune, Karnataka Lokayukta Raids Unearth Corruption**
**Bengaluru, India** – Karnataka Lokayukta officials have uncovered a massive corruption scheme, unearthing over Rs 30 crore in unaccounted assets belonging to Kalakappa Nidagundi, a former clerk at the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL). The discovery was made during a raid on Nidagundi’s residence on Friday.
Nidagundi, who earned a monthly salary of Rs 15,000 while working in Koppal, allegedly amassed a fortune including twenty-four houses, four plots, 40 acres of farmland, four vehicles, 350 grams of gold, and 1.5 kg of silver. The properties were registered under his name, his wife’s name, and that of her brother.
The investigation revealed that Nidagundi and former KRIDL engineer ZM Chincholkar are suspected of siphoning off over Rs 72 crore by falsifying documents for 96 incomplete projects.
This raid is part of a broader crackdown by Lokayukta on government officials suspected of possessing wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income. Recent raids have targeted officials across various departments and districts, including Hassan, Chikkabalapura, Chitradurga, and Bengaluru. Just last week, Lokayukta seized assets worth Rs 37.42 crore in raids linked to eight officials, including IAS officer Vasanthi Amar B V, who held a key position in the Railway Infrastructure Development Company, Karnataka (K-RIDE).
The Lokayukta’s ongoing efforts highlight the government’s commitment to combating corruption and ensuring accountability among public servants in Karnataka. Further investigations are underway to determine the full extent of the corruption network and bring those responsible to justice.
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