Lokayukta Raid on Aide’s Residence: Assets Worth ₹14.38 Crore Unearthed in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The Lokayukta officials on Tuesday concluded a major raid at the residence of Sardar Sarfaraz Khan, close aide and private secretary to Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, uncovering assets worth ₹14.38 crore.

The raid was conducted in connection with allegations of possession of disproportionate assets, triggering widespread attention in political and administrative circles. According to Lokayukta sources, the officials recovered immovable assets valued at ₹8.44 crore and movable assets worth ₹5.93 crore.

The seized properties include documents related to four residential houses and 35 acres of agricultural land. In addition, cash amounting to ₹66,500, gold ornaments valued at ₹2.99 lakh, fixed deposits worth ₹1.29 crore, and other financial records were also found during the searches.

The operation was carried out simultaneously at 13 locations linked to Sarfaraz Khan. These included his residence in Halasuru, six other houses in and around Bengaluru, two coffee estates in Kodagu district, and a resort located in H.D. Kote. More than 50 Lokayukta officers and staff participated in the early morning raids, which began at dawn and continued for several hours.

Sarfaraz Khan is currently serving as an officer deputed to the Housing Department. A case had earlier been registered against him over allegations of accumulating assets beyond his known sources of income. Based on this case, the Lokayukta obtained the necessary approvals and launched coordinated searches to verify asset details and supporting documents.

Officials stated that extensive documentation was examined at all locations, and detailed asset inventories were prepared as part of the investigation. The seized records and financial details will now be scrutinized to determine whether there is a mismatch between income and assets.

The Lokayukta has not yet disclosed further steps but indicated that follow-up action will be taken after a comprehensive analysis of the seized materials. The case is expected to proceed under provisions related to disproportionate assets, marking another significant action in the state’s anti-corruption drive.

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