Ex-Karnataka clerk who drew Rs 15k as monthly salary owns assets worth Rs 30 crore

Srinagar, August 1: A major fraud came to light following a raid by Karnataka Lokayukta officials, as part of their ongoing crackdown on the misuse of official positions and accumulation of wealth beyond known sources of income. A former clerk at Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) in Koppal has been found to possess 24 houses, nearly 40 acres of land, and unaccounted assets valued at ₹30 crore.

The man, reportedly identified as Kalakappa Nidagundi, has a monthly salary of only ₹15,000, but has properties worth crores in his name and in the name of his wife and brother.

As reported by NDTV, the raid at the residence of a former clerk, Nidagundi, revealed assets worth ₹30 crore. These included 24 houses, four land plots, and 40 acres of agricultural land.

In addition, officials seized gold worth around ₹30 lakh (approximately 350 grams) and more than 1.5 kilograms of silver, according to the report.

According to news agency ANI, the officers who came under investigation in disproportionate assets cases, included Jayanna R, National Highway Hassan Division in Hassan; K Omprakash, Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture, BDA, Bengaluru; N Venkatesh, Tax Accessor, Shettyhalli Sub-Division, BBMP, Bengaluru, Venkatesh G, Taluk Health Officer, Hiriyur Taluk, Chitradurga District andExecutive Engineer, National Highway Hassan Division in Hassan; K Omprakash, Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture, BDA, Bengaluru; N Venkatesh, Tax Accessor, Shettyhalli Sub-Division, BBMP, Bengaluru, Venkatesh G, Taluk Health Officer, Hiriyur Taluk, Chitradurga District and Anjaneya Murthy M, Junior Engineer, Rural Drinking Water and Sanitization Department, Gowribidanuru Tq, Chikkaballapur District.

India Today further reported that the ex-clerk also owned two cars and two two-wheelers. Nidagundi is accused of embezzling over ₹72 crore, with assistance from an ex-KRIDL engineer, ZM Chincholkar. The duo allegedly generated fake bills for 96 incomplete infrastructure projects.