In an astonishing development, Karnataka Lokayukta officers uncovered a massive cache of unaccounted assets—worth nearly ₹30 crore—owned by a former outsourced clerk who once earned just ₹15,000 per month. The discovery has sparked renewed scrutiny of corruption within rural infrastructure departments.
Clerk’s Assets Shock Investigators
The former employee, Kalakappa Nidagundi, previously worked at the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL). Although officially classified as an outsourced staffer, his possessions paint the picture of a wealthy real estate magnate. During the raid, officials found:
- 24 residential properties
- 6 vacant land plots
- 40 acres of agricultural land
- Nearly 1 kg of gold and 1.5 kg of silver ornaments
- Multiple high-end vehicles
- Significant cash reserves
Many of the properties and assets were registered under the names of Nidagundi, his wife, and his brother, raising further suspicions of deliberate concealment.
Suspected Fraud Through Public Projects
Investigators suspect that Nidagundi was involved in large-scale financial misconduct while working with KRIDL. Allegedly, he and a former KRIDL engineer—Z. M. Chincholkar—forged documents linked to nearly 100 halted public infrastructure projects, siphoning off funds through false invoicing and inflated estimates. Authorities believe more than ₹70 crore could have been misappropriated this way.
Widening Crackdown on Corruption
The Koppal raid is part of a wider anti-corruption drive by Karnataka Lokayukta, which has been aggressively targeting officials suspected of accumulating disproportionate wealth.
Other recent high-profile raids include:
- May 2025: Raids on seven government officials unearthed illicit wealth worth ₹22.78 crore across various districts.
- July 2025: Five officials across Bengaluru, Hassan, and Chikkaballapura were found to possess between ₹2.8 crore and ₹6.3 crore in hidden assets.
- March 2025: ₹36 crore worth of properties were seized from officials involved in education, agriculture, and transport departments.
Public Reaction & Social Media Buzz
News of the raid has gone viral across Karnataka, with citizens expressing disbelief and outrage over how a low-wage clerk could own dozens of properties.
“This isn’t just a case of greed—it’s a reflection of how broken our system of checks and balances has become,” said a Bengaluru-based RTI activist.
Online forums have erupted with demands for tougher asset disclosures, especially among outsourced and contract-based government staff.
Legal Action and Next Steps
Lokayukta officials are preparing to file formal charges against Kalakappa Nidagundi and his suspected associates. Investigations are now focused on:
- Tracing the source of each property and monetary transaction
- Verifying false billing related to public projects
- Identifying higher-level officials who may have enabled the scheme
Authorities confirmed that proceedings will likely fall under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and criminal conspiracy charges may follow depending on the evidence.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of Accused | Kalakappa Nidagundi |
| Monthly Salary | ₹15,000 (as outsourced clerk) |
| Department | KRIDL (Karnataka Rural Infrastructure) |
| Total Assets Found | ~₹30 crore |
| Assets Seized | 24 homes, 6 plots, 40 acres land, gold, cash |
| Co-accused (suspected) | Former engineer Z. M. Chincholkar |
| Estimated Fund Misuse | ₹70+ crore across 90+ stalled projects |
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