As part of an inquiry into the allegations, searches were conducted at three locations linked.
Bidar
Lokayukta officials conducted simultaneous searches at the properties of retired Agriculture Department officer Manikappa Sherikar in Bidar district on Tuesday morning following complaints alleging that he possessed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Sherikar, who retired from government service on August 31, came under the Lokayukta’s scrutiny following complaints regarding his assets. The searches were carried out at three locations linked to him as part of an inquiry into the allegations.
Lokayukta teams searched Sherikar’s residence in Hakka Colony in Bidar city, his farmhouse at Muthangi village in Chitguppa taluk and another house in Humnabad. The searches were conducted simultaneously, with officials examining documents and other records connected to his properties and financial transactions.
Officials reportedly checked property documents, bank and financial records and other materials to establish details of the assets held by the retired officer. The searches are aimed at verifying the allegations and determining whether the assets under scrutiny are disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The Lokayukta teams continued their examination of the properties during the operation. Officials are expected to compare the documents and financial information gathered during the searches with the officer’s known income and service records.
The action comes shortly after Sherikar’s retirement from the Agriculture Department. The complaints had reportedly raised questions about the extent of his assets and prompted the Lokayukta to begin the investigation.
Further details about the documents, cash, valuables, property records or other assets found during the searches are awaited. The findings will depend on the detailed verification of the material collected by the officials.
The Lokayukta investigation is continuing, and the allegations against Sherikar have not been established at this stage. Officials are expected to provide more information after completing the searches and examining the records collected from the three locations.
