In a shocking revelation that has reignited the debate on corruption in public service, Karnataka Lokayukta officials have unearthed assets worth over ₹30 crore from Kalakappa Nidagundi—a former clerk at the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) in Koppal—whose official salary was just ₹15,000 per month.
The raid, conducted following a court order, revealed a staggering accumulation of wealth grossly disproportionate to Nidagundi’s known sources of income. Over the course of two decades, he allegedly built a real estate empire and amassed luxury assets by siphoning off public funds meant for rural development.
What the Lokayukta Found
The detailed inventory of seized assets paints a picture of systemic embezzlement. Authorities discovered:
24 residential houses and 6 land plots
40+ acres of agricultural land
Over 1 kg of gold and 1.5 kg of silver
Four vehicles, including two cars and two two-wheelers
Multiple properties held under the names of Nidagundi, his wife, and her brother
Officials also found paperwork indicating the existence of additional hidden assets, suggesting the ₹30 crore figure may be just the tip of the iceberg.
A Network of Fraud
Investigators allege that Nidagundi didn’t act alone. He is suspected to have conspired with former KRIDL engineer ZM Chincholkar, forging documents and bills for 96 public infrastructure projects—including road, drainage, and water supply works—that were never actually completed. Through these fake projects, over ₹72 crore was misappropriated.
The Lokayukta launched the raid after complaints from KRIDL engineers who suspected large-scale financial irregularities. The ongoing probe suggests that the corruption was deeply embedded within the system and possibly involved more officials.
Wider Anti-Corruption Drive
This case is part of a broader crackdown on corruption in Karnataka, where the Lokayukta has intensified raids across departments. In recent months, similar cases have exposed engineers, revenue officials, and health department employees hoarding assets far beyond their declared incomes.
These developments have sparked fresh public outrage and raised serious concerns about transparency, oversight, and misuse of public funds in government departments. Citizens are demanding stricter checks, audits, and faster legal action against the guilty.
Political and Legal Response
Koppal MLA K Raghavendra Hitnal has assured a thorough investigation into the matter. The state government is under increasing pressure to not only punish those directly involved but also to clean up systemic corruption within public infrastructure agencies.
The case serves as a stark reminder of how unchecked power and weak accountability can allow even low-ranking officials to accumulate obscene wealth. As the inquiry expands, all eyes are now on whether the state will deliver on its promise of justice—or let yet another corruption scandal fade into bureaucratic silence.
