Latest news with #Nidagundi
NDTV
01-08-2025
- NDTV
24 Houses, 4 Plots: Assets Worth Rs 30 Crore Seized From Karnataka Official
Bengaluru: The Lokayukta officials on Friday raided the residence of a former clerk at the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) and found unaccounted assets worth over Rs 30 crore. The officials found out that Kalakappa Nidagundi, who worked in Koppal and had a monthly salary of Rs 15,000, owned twenty-four houses, four plots, and 40 acres of farmland. Four vehicles, 350 grams of gold, and 1.5 kg of silver were also recovered during the raids. The properties were in his name, his wife's, and her brother's. Nidagundi and an ex-KRIDL engineer, ZM Chincholkar, allegedly siphoned off over Rs 72 crore by faking documents for 96 incomplete projects. Lokayukta Raids The Lokayukta sleuths have been raiding government officials accused of amassing wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income. On Tuesday, they conducted searches at places linked to five government officials in Hassan, Chikkabalapura, Chitradurga and Bengaluru. The officers who came under Lokayukta's radar were Jayanna R, Executive Engineer, NHAI Division, Hassan; Anjaneya Murthy M Junior Englneer, Rural Drinking Water and Sanitisation Department Chikkabalapura; Dr Venkatesh, Taluk Health officer, Hiriyur, Chitradurga; N Venkatesh, Revenue Officer, BBMP Dasarahalli sub-division, Shettihalli in Bengaluru; and K Om Prakash Senior, Assistant Horticultue Director, BDA Head Office in Bengaluru. On July 23, they carried out searches in premises linked to eight officials, including an IAS officer, in a disproportionate assets case and recovered wealth worth Rs 37.42 crore. The raids were conducted at 41 locations linked to the officers posted in Bengaluru Urban, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Kalaburagi, Koppal and Kodagu districts. Among those raided was IAS officer Vasanthi Amar B V, who serves as Special Deputy Commissioner at the Railway Infrastructure Development Company, Karnataka (K-RIDE). She was also responsible for the land acquisition for the Bengaluru Sub-urban Railway Project (BSRP). During searches at five places linked to Vasanthi, officials recovered assets worth Rs 9.03 crore, including three sites, four houses, three acres of agricultural land to the tune of Rs 7.4 crore, ornaments worth Rs 12 lakh, and vehicles worth Rs 90 lakh.
India Today
01-08-2025
- Business
- India Today
Raids on ex-Karnataka clerk unearth Rs 30 crore in assets, including 24 houses
A former clerk at the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) in Koppal district, Karnataka, has come under scrutiny after a raid by the Lokayukta unearthed assets worth over Rs 30 crore. The former employee, Kalakappa Nidagundi, had been working on a daily wage basis with a salary of Rs 15,000 per to Lokayukta officials, Nidagundi was found to be in possession of an enormous amount of property, including 24 residential houses, four land plots, and 40 acres of agricultural land. The properties were registered not only in his name but also under the names of his wife and her officials also seized 350 grams of gold jewellery, 1.5 kilograms of silver ornaments, and four vehicles, which included two cars and two two-wheelers. Nidagundi, along with former KRIDL engineer ZM Chincholkar, is accused of misappropriating more than Rs 72 crore by allegedly fabricating documents and generating fake bills for 96 infrastructure projects that were never discovery came following a complaint submitted to the Lokayukta, which prompted an inspection authorised by a court order. The investigation led to the uncovering of the extensive and disproportionate assets in Nidagundi's MLA K Raghavendra Hitnal stated that the government is treating the issue with due seriousness and will ensure a comprehensive inquiry is conducted so that appropriate action can be taken.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
Economic Times
01-08-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
24 homes, 6 plots, 40 acres farmland, 1kg gold: Karnataka ex-babu with Rs 15,000 salary caught having Rs 30 crore assets
A former clerk at Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) is under investigation after a Lokayukta raid revealed assets worth approximately Rs 30 crore, far exceeding his known income. The investigation was triggered by complaints of a Rs 72 crore misappropriation scheme involving fake projects and forged documents, implicating other officials and a cement supplier. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Massive assets uncovered in raid Fake projects and forged documents alleged Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Political response and ongoing inquiry A former clerk who worked at Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) for over 20 years has allegedly amassed assets several times over his known sources of income according to a TOI report. Kalakappa Nidagundi , a former outsourced clerk at the KRIDL in Koppal , is under investigation for allegedly accumulating assets worth approximately Rs 30 crore over two decades despite earning a monthly salary of Rs 15, case came to light on Thursday following a raid by Lokayukta officials at Nidagundi's residence in Pragati Nagar . The raid was initiated in connection with the suspected misappropriation of Rs 72 crore in the operation, authorities discovered 24 houses, six plots, over 40 acres of agricultural land, more than 1 kg of gold jewellery , and several vehicles. Documents retrieved also suggested the presence of additional illegal assets. Some of the properties were found to be registered under the names of Nidagundi's wife and raid began at 6 a.m., following complaints filed by KRIDL executive engineers Anil Patil (Koppal office) and Anand Karlakunti (Nelogipura subdivision) against Nidagundi and former executive engineer Zaranappa M Chincholikar. The complaints were lodged at the direction of KRIDL Managing Director Basavaraju According to officials, the accused parties allegedly created forged documents and invoices for 96 projects between 2019 and 2025, covering sewerage, road, and drinking water works across various villages. The fraudulent projects include 19 in Kanakagiri, five in Gangavathi, four in Yelburga, and 68 in Koppal taluk , collectively diverting government grants worth Rs 72 was dismissed from service a few months prior to the raid. Chincholikar, though previously terminated, continues in service due to a court MLA K Raghavendra Hitnal confirmed Nidagundi's involvement along with cement supplier Amaresh Yambaladinni in collusion with Chincholikar. He stated that the government would conduct a thorough investigation into all related works and ensure appropriate action is taken against those found guilty.(With inputs from TOI)
Time of India
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
KRIDL scam: Ex-clerk with Rs 15,000 salary amassed assets worth Rs 30cr
1 2 Koppal: Kalakappa Nidagundi, a former outsourced clerk at the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) office in Koppal, is alleged to have amassed assets approximately worth Rs 30 crore over two decades — despite earning a modest monthly salary of Rs 15,000. The corruption came to light on Thursday when Lokayukta officials carried out a raid at Nidagundi's residence in Pragati Nagar. The raid, as part of the investigation into the misappropriation of Rs 72 crore in KRIDL, unearthed massive assets including 24 houses, six plots, over 40 acres of agricultural land, more than 1kg of gold jewellery, and multiple vehicles, with documents pointing to further illegal assets. Following instructions from KRIDL MD Basavaraju, executive engineers Anil Patil (from Koppal office) and Anand Karlakunti (from the Nelogipura subdivision) filed complaints against former executive engineer Zaranappa M Chincholikar and Nidagundi. In response to the complaint, Lokayukta officials commenced their raid at Nidagundi's residence at 6am. The investigations also uncovered properties registered under the names of his wife and brother. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experience next-level CPAP comfort with Resmed AirSense 11 ResMed Enquire Now Undo The accused parties allegedly fabricated documents and invoices for 96 projects — including sewerage, road, and drinking water initiatives across several villages in the district — from 2019 to 2025. The fraudulent projects include 19 in Kanakagiri, five in Gangavathi, four in Yelburga, and 68 in Koppal taluk, misappropriating grants worth Rs 72 crore. While Kalakappa was dismissed from service a few months ago, Chincholikar managed to retain his position following a court order, despite an earlier termination. Koppal MLA K Raghavendra Hitnal confirmed the involvement of Nidgundi and cement supplier Amaresh Yambaladinni in collusion with Chincholikar. He assured that the govt would thoroughly investigate all related works and take appropriate action against those found guilty.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Hubballi's para shooter aims for global glory
Hubballi: Rakesh N Nidagundi, a para shooter from Hubballi, will represent India at the World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) event in Changwon, South Korea, starting May 28. Hailing from Kalghatagi, Rakesh has won 27 medals, including 11 gold, since 2019. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now His consistent performance earned him a spot on the Indian team, marking him as the first para shooter from the state to achieve this honour. He also impressed at the Paralympic Games India. Rakesh was born in 1988 into a middle-class agricultural family. His father is Nagappa and his mother is Shankarevva. Despite facing challenges related to physical mobility, he completed bachelor's degree in fine arts. Nidagundi suffered from a polio reaction in his childhood. Born in Kuruvinakoppa, Kalghatagi taluk, he studied in a rural setting. In 2019, he started learning shooting at Hubli Sports Shooting Academy. Later, he was selected for the National Centres of Excellence, Delhi, in 2023. Nidagundi told TOI that he is working hard for the World Cup. He dreamed of representing his country, and now the time has come to prove himself. His family is supporting him. In addition to his achievements in sports, his journey into professional shooting began when a a coach, inspired him by sharing insights about sports for individuals with disabilities. This encouragement motivated him to pursue a career in shooting. He wishes to become a world-class rifle shooter and represent India at the highest levels of competitive shooting. Ravichandra Balehosur, a coach at Hubli Sports Shooting Academy, said they are hoping that Rakesh will win a medal for the country, as he is a hard worker with a positive attitude and has won many medals at the national level. He was with their academy for four years and has travelled around the country. "We wish him great success," he expressed.
