Bengaluru: Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials on Wednesday conducted searches at the Dollars Colony residence of Karnataka Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi in Bengaluru as part of a probe into alleged irregularities and financial transactions linked to the Excise Department.
A team of ED officials arrived at the minister’s residence in two vehicles and began examining documents and records. The searches are reportedly part of a wider operation covering around 18 locations across Bengaluru, Belagavi and parts of Maharashtra.
The latest searches assume significance following the ED’s raids in June at premises linked to Y Manjunath, an Excise Department Additional Commissioner and a relative of the minister.
The earlier searches, conducted at multiple locations including Bengaluru, Belagavi and Mysuru, were reportedly linked to allegations involving disproportionate assets, benami transactions and suspected financial irregularities.
The agency is also understood to be examining allegations related to the issuance of bar licences and financial transactions connected with the Excise Department.
Officials are reportedly scrutinising documents and records related to financial transactions at the minister’s residence as part of the ongoing investigation.
However, no official statement has been issued by the ED detailing the findings of Wednesday’s searches, and allegations against the minister remain under investigation. A search by an investigating agency does not by itself establish wrongdoing.
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