Lokayukta officials have carried out a big corruption crackdown a raid on the grounds of that there in the department’s headquarters. Its main target was B. Kallesh, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the Koppal Institute of Medical Sciences. The operation, launched in response to allegations that he had acquired excessive property that was seen across multiple parts of the state as disproportionate, exposed the state‘s astonishing collection of wealth and properties.
The Raid Details
30+ officials and 6 locations. Over 30 Lokayukta officials were involved in a simultaneous search of six high-sensitive sites starting early in the morning on Friday, led by DySP Lokesh. To be sure their investigation was neutral and thorough, the team comprised officials from Gadag, Haveri, and Raichur districts. The raids location included:
- Kallesh’s private residence in Bhagyanagar (Koppal).
- A PU Science College (Navachethana PU College) registered in his wife's name.
- His office at the KIMS campus. Chikkamannapur village, Yelburga taluk, in his ancestral home.
- A personal office and a home belonging to a close relative.
Wealth Beyond Means: The Seizure list
The day-long search, which extended late into the night, uncovered assets thought to be worth several crores. The main seizures reported have included:
- Cash & Bank Balance: Hard cash: ₹36 lakh at his residence + bank balance: ₹61 lakh.
- Bullion: 1 kg of gold jewellery and 3.5 kg of silver articles.
- Land & Property: The following documents represent 31 acres of agricultural land and a college building complex that have a valued asset of around ₹10 crore.
Investments
Large-scale documents relating to multiple bank accounts and high-value financial investments. Link to the Valmiki Corporation Scam. B. Kallesh is not a stranger to investigations in high profile. He was once lurking in the shadows in the multi-crore Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation scam.
- Previous Position: The scam was committed during the time that Kallesh was acting as Additional Director in the Social Welfare Department.
- Suspension & Reinstatement: He was suspended in June 2024 on the allegations of dereliction of duty relating to transfer of funds. His suspension was later reversed and he was appointed as a CAO of KIMS Koppal a decision that raised bitter opposition eyes at the time.
The Investigation Continues
Lokayukta officials are currently examining the seized documents to see what precisely the gap between Kallesh's legal earnings and his amassed wealth is. “The reported assets are higher than the known income sources of an official of his rank,” a senior official said.
