Search and seizure operations against Karnataka Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar continued for the second day on Thursday, bringing for the first time his official chambers at the Ministry under the scanner. Raids were also conducted at SBG Group, Hassan, which has interests in real estate, for its alleged links with the Minister.
Income tax sleuths, who arrived with CRPF personnel, scrutinised several documents at the Minister’s chambers at the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd, but did not seize any. However, they have marked certain documents for future reference, sources said.
Two keymakers were summoned to the Sadashivanagar residence of Mr. Shivakumar, to open two almirahs, the keys for which the residents claimed were lost. No information was available on what was found. An AC technician was also called.
The raids are expected to spill over to Friday as well, I-T officials said. The Minister and his wife remained at their Sadashivanagar residence, and continued to be questioned by I-T sleuths.
Meanwhile, raids are still on at other locations including the houses of the Minister’s brother and Lok Sabha MP D.K. Suresh, his astrologer Dwarakanath, his father-in-law in Mysuru and Congress MLA S. Ravi.
Raids at the educational institution the Minister heads are also still on, apart from private firms in transport, real estate and export businesses, where the Minister is said to be closely involved.
The documents and other material recovered during search and seizure operations at over 60 locations starting early Wednesday morning, were being collated at one place and audited to finalise the report in the case, sources said.
I-T officials have not only opened multiple lockers of various individuals in multiple cities, they have also ordered freezing of several bank accounts. The documents are being verified to see whether there are any grounds for prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amended Act, 2016, sources said.
