Koppal— A shocking case of disproportionate wealth has emerged in Karnataka’s Koppal district, where Kalakappa Nidagundi, a former contract clerk at the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL), is under investigation for accumulating assets worth ₹30 crore, despite drawing a meagre monthly salary of ₹15,000.

The exposure came after Lokayukta officials raided his home in Pragati Nagar on Thursday morning, as part of a broader probe into a ₹72 crore scam involving fake infrastructure projects across Koppal.

Raids Reveal Astonishing Wealth

The 6am raid unearthed a staggering inventory of wealth:

  • 24 residential houses

  • 6 land plots

  • 40+ acres of agricultural land

  • Over 1kg of gold ornaments

  • Multiple vehicles

  • Documents hinting at even more hidden assets, including those registered under his wife and brother’s names

    • KRIDL’s Managing Director Basavaraju ordered an internal probe after whistleblowers raised concerns. Acting on this, executive engineers Anil Patil and Anand Karlakunti filed formal complaints, leading to a full-scale investigation.

    Fake Projects & Fudged Invoices

    Between 2019 and 2025, Nidagundi and former executive engineer Zaranappa M. Chincholikar allegedly created fake documents and bills for 96 infrastructure works, covering:

    • 19 projects in Kanakagiri

  • 5 in Gangavathi

  • 4 in Yelburga

  • 68 in Koppal taluk

    • These projects — which included roads, sewage lines, and water supply works — were never executed, despite receiving large sums of government grant money.

    Political Response & Further Action

    Local MLA K Raghavendra Hitnal confirmed Nidagundi’s involvement along with cement supplier Amaresh Yambaladinni. He assured strict action and a deeper audit of all KRIDL projects.