Bengaluru, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched a series of raids early Wednesday morning at the properties of Karnataka’s Public Works Minister, Satish Jarkiholi. This operation is part of an investigation into alleged irregularities within the state’s excise department.
Reports indicate that the ED executed search operations at approximately 15 locations across Bengaluru, Belagavi, and Goa. Among these, Jarkiholi’s private residence in Bengaluru’s Dollars Colony was targeted, along with his home in Belagavi and a government-allotted residence in Bengaluru.
A team of over 25 ED officials arrived at the sites in 18 vehicles around 7 a.m. on Thursday, beginning their searches with the assistance of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for security. The ED also inspected a flat linked to Jarkiholi in Bengaluru and properties associated with his daughter, Priyanka Jarkiholi, who is a Member of Parliament.
Sources revealed that Jarkiholi does not frequently reside in his private home in Bengaluru. During the raid, ED officials took the caretaker of the property for questioning.
The current raids are reportedly connected to Y. Manjunath, a senior excise department officer and Jarkiholi’s relative. Manjunath serves as the additional excise commissioner for the Belagavi zone and is also Jarkiholi’s brother-in-law. The ED has previously conducted searches at properties owned by Manjunath in Bengaluru, Belagavi, and Goa.
Earlier, on June 24, the ED had raided Manjunath’s residence and those of his associates. The agency is investigating a significant excise scam estimated at around ₹178 crore.
Officials disclosed that during the previous searches, a diary was discovered in Manjunath’s office, containing crucial information related to the investigation. The inquiry is also looking into potential hawala transactions and foreign links. Manjunath had previously sought to halt the investigation in the Karnataka High Court.
The latest raids were conducted by teams from the ED offices in Bengaluru and Goa. This action comes as Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s administration celebrates its first 100 days in office. The search operation continued into Wednesday morning, with further updates from the ED anticipated.
Leave a Comment