Daijiworld Media Network - Koppal Koppal, Aug 1: A former clerk with a monthly salary of just Rs 15,000 has come under the Lokayukta scanner after officials unearthed assets worth around Rs 30 crore during a raid conducted in connection with a Rs 72 crore scam in the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL). The accused, Kalakappa Nidagundi, an outsourced clerk who worked in the KRIDL office in Koppal, was dismissed from service a few months ago. On Thursday, Lokayukta officials raided his residence in Pragati Nagar and discovered 24 residential properties, six plots, over 40 acres of agricultural land, more than 1 kg of gold ornaments, and several vehicles. Documents recovered during the raid also indicated ownership of further properties registered in the names of his wife and brother. The raid was part of an investigation into large-scale misappropriation of public funds between 2019 and 2025, allegedly involving 96 fake infrastructure projects across various villages in Koppal district. These included sewerage, road and drinking water projects, with 19 in Kanakagiri, five in Gangavathi, four in Yelburga and 68 in Koppal taluk. Investigators believe fabricated documents and fake invoices were used to siphon off Rs 72 crore in project grants. The complaint was filed by KRIDL executive engineers Anil Patil from the Koppal office and Anand Karlakunti from the Nelogipura subdivision, based on instructions from KRIDL managing director Basavaraju. Along with Nidagundi, former executive engineer Zaranappa M Chincholikar has also been named in the case. While Nidagundi was sacked, Chincholikar retained his post after securing a stay order from court following an earlier termination. Koppal MLA K Raghavendra Hitnal confirmed that Nidagundi and a cement supplier, Amaresh Yambaladinni, were allegedly involved in the irregularities, with the support of Chincholikar. He assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted and action would be taken against all those responsible.
