Mangaluru: In a major anti-corruption crackdown, the Karnataka Lokayukta police have unearthed assets worth ₹3.37 crore allegedly disproportionate to known sources of income during coordinated raids on an assistant drug controller posted in the city.
The accused, Babu B N, son of late Nanjundappa N, is currently serving in the office of the Regional Deputy Drug Controller under the jurisdiction of the Lokayukta police station in Mangaluru.
Case registered under Prevention of Corruption Act
The action followed a source-based report submitted by Chandrashekhar K N. Based on the report, a case was registered on April 6, 2026, under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Lokayukta police station in Mangaluru.
Officials stated that preliminary findings suggested the accumulation of wealth beyond the known income of the accused, prompting swift legal action and investigation.
Multi-location raids across Karnataka
Acting promptly, six Lokayukta police teams carried out simultaneous raids on April 7 at multiple locations associated with the accused. The operation was conducted under the guidance of B P Dinesh Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Karnataka Lokayukta, Mangaluru division.
Searches were conducted at residential and commercial properties in Bagepalli town of Chikkaballapura district, as well as at flats and residences in Bengaluru. Raids were also carried out at the accused’s residence and office premises in Mangaluru.
Cash, gold and other assets seized
During the extensive operation, officials detected movable and immovable assets totalling ₹3,37,04,000 linked to the accused. At his Bengaluru residence, cash amounting to ₹23.64 lakh was recovered, along with gold and silver ornaments.
Authorities are in the process of verifying documents and assessing the exact value and legality of the seized assets.
Team effort across districts
The raid teams were led by Deputy Superintendents of Police Dr Gana P Kumar and Suresh Kumar, along with police inspectors Manjunath, Bharati G, Shivaraj Kumar and Rajendra Nayak. Personnel from Lokayukta units in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikkaballapura districts also participated in the operation.
Officials highlighted that such coordinated efforts are crucial in tackling corruption cases involving officials with assets spread across multiple locations.
Investigation continues
Further investigation is currently under way to determine the extent of alleged financial irregularities and to establish whether additional assets or transactions are linked to the accused.
Authorities indicated that more details may emerge as scrutiny of financial records, property documents and bank transactions progresses.
Conclusion
The raid marks a significant step in ongoing efforts by the Karnataka Lokayukta to curb corruption within government departments. The outcome of the investigation will be closely watched, as it could lead to further legal action under anti-corruption laws and reinforce accountability among public officials.