Bengaluru, June 25: Karnataka’s opposition leader and senior BJP figure R. Ashok has accused the state government of a massive ₹225 crore scam under the ‘Griha Lakshmi Scheme.’ He described the situation as a case of “state-sponsored cybercrime” and called for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and central cybercrime agencies.
Ashok claimed that emerging details about the alleged scam indicate systematic manipulation of beneficiary data and financial transactions. He criticized Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for remaining silent on the issue, asserting that this fraud cannot simply be dismissed as a technical error by government officials.
According to Ashok, the irregularities were uncovered through a “data dump” analysis of departmental records rather than regular audits. He alleged that software algorithms were manipulated to transfer funds repeatedly into accounts of deceased beneficiaries and, in some cases, into the same bank account.
He further alleged that over two years, there were repeated changes to some beneficiaries’ accounts. Some accounts were reactivated months later, while payments were made intermittently. Ashok suggested that such patterns indicate potential digital manipulation and possibly organized money laundering.
He also pointed out that records of 211,000 deceased beneficiaries had been identified, but the department failed to provide digital data for an additional 77,376 deceased beneficiaries. He questioned whether there were attempts to alter or delete cyber logs associated with these accounts and demanded clarification from the government.
Accusing senior officials and political leaders of collusion in this alleged fraud, Ashok stated that the matter is linked to serious cybercrime and requires a fair investigation. He called for identifying the IP addresses involved in the alleged data manipulation and the network used to transfer the funds elsewhere.
Demanding immediate intervention from central investigative agencies, Ashok insisted that the entire inquiry into the alleged ‘Griha Lakshmi’ scam should be handed over to the CBI and specialized agencies dealing with cybercrime.
The Karnataka government has yet to respond to these latest allegations. Additionally, Ashok criticized the state government for the conditions of hostels catering to backward classes and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students.
He claimed that while millions are being spent on renovating the Kumarakripa Guest House in Bengaluru, basic facilities in government hostels are being neglected.
Notably, Chief Minister Shivakumar is renovating the 160-year-old Kumarakripa Guest House to convert it into his official residence and office.
Ashok questioned the government’s priorities, asking why there is funding for luxurious renovations at Kumarakripa Guest House but not for maintaining hostels for economically disadvantaged students.
He alleged that many hostels force students to live without essential facilities and infrastructure. According to him, the situation has worsened due to the absence of a full-time minister in the social welfare department and lack of attention from district in-charge ministers.
Ashok urged Chief Minister Shivakumar to personally visit government hostels across the state and assess their conditions.
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