Lokayukta raids Hassan civic engineer’s house in disproportionate assets case

Hassan: Officials of the Karnataka Lokayukta conducted an early morning raid on the residence of a civic engineer in Hassan on Thursday in connection with a disproportionate assets case.

The raid targeted Satyanarayana M. C., Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the Hassan City Municipal Corporation, following allegations that he had amassed wealth beyond his known sources of income.

According to officials, a team led by Lokayukta Deputy Superintendent of Police Suresh Kumar and Inspector Shilpa arrived at Satyanarayana’s residence in Rakshanapuram in Hassan city at around 5.15 am.

However, the officers initially faced difficulty entering the house as the lights inside were switched off and the door was not opened despite repeated knocks.

For more than two hours, the Lokayukta team attempted to contact the engineer and persuade the occupants to open the door. Officers knocked on the windows and called out, but there was no response. Satyanarayana’s mobile phone was reportedly switched off, making it difficult for the authorities to establish contact.

Meanwhile, officials checked the location of the phone and suspected that he might still be inside the house. The situation created tension at the spot as the raid team considered legal options to gain entry.

Later, Nandini, Superintendent of Police of the Lokayukta, visited the location, reviewed the situation and held discussions with the officers conducting the operation. Police personnel from the local Hassan Town Police Station also arrived at the spot and warned that the door could be broken open as per legal provisions if it was not opened voluntarily.

After nearly four hours, Satyanarayana’s sister arrived at the house and persuaded the occupants to open the door. The Lokayukta officials then entered the premises and began a detailed search.

Officials said the raid was carried out based on an FIR registered in a disproportionate assets case and with a valid search warrant. Simultaneous searches were also conducted at a EuroKids school owned by Satyanarayana’s wife and the Panditya Education Society.

Also Read: Congress expels two district leaders in Shivamogga over ₹3 lakh job-for-cash allegation