In a major crackdown on corruption within the state administration, the Karnataka Lokayukta Police on Wednesday conducted extensive search operations targeting Sardar Sarfraj Khan, the personal secretary to housing and minority welfare minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan. The raids were part of an ongoing investigation into a disproportionate assets case registered against the senior official, who is a permanent director in the audit department of co-operative societies but is currently serving on deputation.
Starting in the early hours of the morning, Lokayukta teams fanned out across 13 locations linked to the officer, including his primary residence in Halasuru, Bengaluru, as well as several properties in Kodagu and Mysuru.
The scale of the wealth
unearthed during the operation has caused a significant stir in political circles. Lokayukta officials reported the discovery of disproportionate assets totalling approximately Rs 14.38 crore, which includes both immovable and movable properties. Among the immovable assets are documents for four residential houses and 37 acres of agricultural land, valued at roughly Rs 8.44 crore. The search teams also found a substantial cache of movable property, including nearly Rs 3 crore worth of gold ornaments and jewellery, liquid cash amounting to Rs 66,500, and high-end vehicles valued at Rs 1.64 crore.
Additionally, bank deposits and other financial investments worth Rs 1.29 crore were identified during the scrutiny of the officer’s financial records.
The investigation, which stems from a case registered at the Lokayukta Police Station in Bagalakote, also extended to private commercial interests allegedly linked to the official. In addition to residential premises, searches were conducted at two coffee estates in Kodagu and a resort in the HD Kote taluk of Mysuru. Officials have stated that they are currently examining a large volume of seized documents and materials to determine the full extent of the alleged illegal accumulation of wealth. As the probe continues, the Lokayukta is expected to share further details regarding the nexus of properties and the official’s financial dealings during his various high-profile postings in the state government.
