IAS Officer Vasanthi Amar Among Eight Officials Under Investigation for Disproportionate Assets
In a sweeping anti-corruption operation, Karnataka Lokayukta officials launched simultaneous raids on Tuesday targeting eight government officials across multiple districts. Among those under scrutiny is 2017 batch IAS officer Vasanthi Amar, currently serving as Special Deputy Commissioner at K-RIDE. The raids, aimed at investigating allegations of disproportionate assets and misconduct, spanned Bengaluru, Mysuru, Madikeri, Tumakuru, Kalaburagi, and Koppal.
Land Order Controversy Involving IAS Officer
Vasanthi Amar has come under investigation for allegedly passing an unlawful order between June and September 2024 concerning 10.2 acres of land in Dasanpura Hobli, Bengaluru North. Her Bengaluru residence was raided early Tuesday morning.
An FIR was filed last week at Halsur Gate Police Station based on a complaint by DC office assistant Prashant Khangouda Patil. Initially treated as a non-cognizable report (NCR), the matter was escalated to an FIR under Section 257 of the Indian Penal Code (BNS) following a court directive. The section pertains to a public servant corruptly preparing a report contrary to legal provisions.
Additional Officials Facing Scrutiny
Lokayukta teams also searched properties belonging to other officials suspected of owning undeclared assets. Those raided include:
Name Designation Location
Manjunathaswamy M. Joint Director, Skill Development & Livelihood Dept Madikeri
B. Venkatrama Office Assistant (Admin), Mysore Mahanagara Palike Mysuru
Rajesh M. Assistant Executive Engineer, KIADB Tumakuru
Sunil Kumar Executive Engineer, Family & Welfare Office Kalaburagi
Sheku Assistant Director, District Industries Center Koppal
Bagli Maruti Assistant Director, City & Rural Project Dept Sahakarnagar, Bengaluru
H.V. Yerappa Reddy Executive Engineer, BBMP CV Raman Nagar, Bengaluru
Departments in Disarray as Probe Deepens
The raids have triggered widespread concern across state departments, as many of the officials hold prominent positions. According to Lokayukta sources, investigators sought documents, bank records, electronic evidence, and unaccounted assets during the operation.
Further legal proceedings are pending the outcome of ongoing investigations. It remains unclear whether arrests will be made or if the inquiry will expand to additional officials.
