Lokayukta teams conducted raids yesterday at several places associated with a retired official of the Backward Classes Welfare Department in Mandya district early in the morning. The searches were at the residence and farmhouse of Shivraju, a retired superintendent associated with a BCM hostel.
The operation targeted Shivraju’s house in Vinayaka Layout in Maddur and his farmhouse located in Avasarahalli. Inspector Baitarayagowda conducted the searches according to sources.
According to the information available, Shivraju retired from service in Maddur last month. He had served as a superintendent at a hostel run by the Backward Classes Welfare Department.
Allegations connected with Hostel Supplies
The Lokayukta action was triggered by allegations that materials for hostel students had been taken away and stored at Shivraju's properties.
Hostels run by welfare departments provide students with a variety of essential materials and facilities. Any alleged diversion or unauthorized storage of supplies for beneficiaries can be investigated by the authorities.
During the searches, Lokayukta officials examined the premises and searched the house for documents, valuables, and other material that could be relevant to the investigation.
The raid is expected to help authorities determine whether any government property or hostel supplies were diverted and whether there was any financial or administrative misconduct under Shivraju's tenure.
Valuables reported to have been found during search
According to officials, several valuables were found during the search operation. Gold ornaments and silver items were found at the facility during the raid, according to the report from the raid.
The authorities also found a stock of expensive liquor in the house. The exact quantity and nature of the liquor, and whether its possession violated any applicable law, would need to be established through the official investigation.
The discovery of valuables and other items is to be part of the wider investigation by Lokayukta authorities. The investigators would likely check ownership and sources of the assets and whether they are in line with the official’s known income and financial records.
Searching Goes on at Different Locations
The Lokayukta team continued its search at Shivraju's residence in Maddur as part of the operation. The simultaneous search of his farmhouse at Avasarahalli is also expected to give investigators more information.
Investigators can look for documents, property records, financial records, and other material recovered from the searches. That evidence could help investigators determine if there was a disproportionate accumulation of assets and irregularities with government assets, and if that was the case in any way.
The raid comes after Shivraju retired from his post. The issue of his alleged role in the management of hostel-related supplies is also being looked into in connection with the claims on the case.
At this stage, the allegations and findings from the raid remain subject to the Lokayukta investigation. The recovery of valuables or other articles during a search by itself does not establish criminal liability, and the authorities will have to verify the source, ownership, and relevance of the seized or documented items.
The operation was said to have been conducted by Lokayukta Inspector Baitarayagowda, who searched the premises for evidence of the allegations.
Details will be available after the searches and verification of the materials and documents collected and verified in operation. The investigation will look into whether any government supplies were misappropriated and whether there were financial or other irregularities during Shivraju's time of service.
The early-morning Lokayukta operation has drawn attention in Mandya, particularly because the searches covered a residential property and a farmhouse belonging to a recently retired welfare department official.
