Lokayukta raid recovers ₹14 crore cash from minister’s private secretary’s residence, Siddaramaiah government under pressure

Bengaluru (The Uttam Hindu): Karnataka politics was rocked today when the Lokayukta raided the premises of Sarfaraz Khan, personal secretary to state minister Zameer Ahmed Khan. The Lokayukta team found a mountain of currency notes during the raid, conducted in connection with a disproportionate assets (DA) case. According to reports, officials recovered a huge amount of cash, estimated to be around ₹14 crore (approximately $1.4 billion) from Sarfaraz Khan's home and office. Following this major action, a case has been registered at the Lokayukta police station in Bengaluru, and the investigation has been intensified.

This action is also considered politically sensitive, as Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan is considered a very close and trusted aide of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Lokayukta officials said that simultaneous searches were launched this morning at several premises linked to Sarfaraz Khan. Sarfaraz Khan is currently posted on deputation from the Directorate of Cooperatives to the Housing Department. He previously held the important position of Joint Commissioner in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

A Lokayukta official confirmed that the search operation was being conducted based on complaints of disproportionate assets. The discovery of such a large amount of cash from an official so close to the minister has caused consternation in the state's administrative circles. The Lokayukta team is currently thoroughly investigating the recovered documents and the source of the cash.