Mangaluru — In a surprise operation, the Karnataka Lokayukta’s Mangaluru and Udupi divisions unearthed widespread mismanagement and alleged corruption within the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC). The inspection, conducted with a search warrant, was led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Dr Gana P Kumar along with a team of senior officials.
Shocking Discovery of Middlemen and Unofficial Roles
The revenue and town planning departments were reportedly swarming with unauthorized brokers. One such middleman was caught carrying ₹5 lakh in unaccounted cash. In a startling revelation, a retired health officer — who had officially left service 15 years ago — was still operating in his old role, raising serious procedural concerns.
Health Department Inefficiencies
The health division came under fire for gross administrative delays. Numerous trade licence files were found pending on the MCC portal, and many commercial establishments had not renewed their licences. Officials had made no effort to recover the pending dues.
Engineering and Accounts Backlog
The engineering department was criticized for allowing outdated and unresolved project files to pile up, while the accounts department was flagged for procrastination in clearing payments and bills.
Town Planning Breaches
Investigators discovered that building permits were issued in violation of planning norms. In several cases, structures that were earlier ordered to be demolished were later given legal approval, raising suspicion of high-level collusion.
Drainage and Environmental Violations
Negligence in the stormwater and underground drainage (UGD) sections led to unchecked illegal drain connections. Several large apartment complexes lacking adequate sewage treatment facilities had been approved, leading to raw sewage contaminating local water bodies.
Next Steps
Kumarachandra, Superintendent of Police (in-charge), Lokayukta Mangaluru, confirmed that a comprehensive report will be submitted to the central Lokayukta office for further legal and administrative action.