Corruption in Karnataka Lokayukta: Enforcement Directorate attaches accused’s assets worth Rs 5.3 crore

BENGALURU: THE Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth `5.3 crore belonging to V Bhaskar, one of the accused in a case related to corruption and extortion in the Karnataka Lokayukta.
According to a statement issued by the ED on Friday, the case under money laundering followed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigation into allegations of corruption in the institution of Karnataka Lokayukta.  The SIT filed four chargesheets against Y Ashwin, son of the then Lokayukta, Justice Bhaskar Rao, V Bhaskar and others. During investigations earlier under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) provisions, the ED had attached assets worth `6.2 crore.

“During further investigations under PMLA, based on inputs received from SIT-Lokayukta, it is revealed that one of the accused, V Bhaskar, is possessing additional properties worth `5.3 crore, acquired through criminal conspiracy, blackmailing and extorting money from various government officials in collusion with the other co-accused,’’ an ED release stated. The ED has provisionally attached six commercial and residential properties in various prime locations in Bengaluru, having present guidance value of `2.6 crore and deposits worth `2.75 crore, in various banks. Total attachment in the case now stands at `11.5 crore. Further investigations under PMLA are continuing, the ED said.

The SIT had filed a chargesheet against the then Lokayukta Justice Bhaskar Rao, in this case. Thereafter, Rao resigned as Lokayukta. In all the cases, the trial is going on before the Lokayukta Special Court in the city.