IT Raid on D. K. Shivakumar continues for the second day

Mysuru: A day after the Income Tax Department officials recovered wads of currency notes amounting to crores of rupees and property documents in raids conducted at over 39 premises linked to Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar, searches continued this morning at the leader’s houses in Bengaluru, New Delhi and at his in-law’s house in Ittigegud, Mysuru.

Though tax officials are tight-lipped over the exact amount of cash that has been seized and the value of properties whose documents have been confiscated, unconfirmed reports say that the hard cash may amount to over Rs. 43 crore. The value of immovable properties will be known only after the raids conclude.

Raids have also been conducted on Rajarajeshwari Global College and National Hill View Public School, the educational institutions owned by Shivakumar.

In Mysuru, I-T officials are holed up inside Shivakumar’s in-law’s house, No. 240, 4th Cross, Manasara Road, Ittigegud. The house was declared out of bounds for the Minister’s supporters and relatives. A total of 12 members are searching for documents and two more I-T men arrived this morning to assist the team.

A battery of cameramen, photographers, reporters and Shivakumar’s supporters were seen waiting outside the house for any latest reports. No one was allowed entry into the house and only schoolchildren were allowed to go outside the house to their schools in the morning.

Shivakumar’s father-in-law Thimmaiah, his son (Shivakumar’s brother-in-law) Sathyanarayana and his wife stay in the house along with other family members. At around 10.30 am today, Thimmaiah came out of his house and told the people waiting outside, “The raid has not concluded.”

At around 12.15 pm, Sathyanarayana and his wife were led out of the house by I-T sleuths in their vehicle and were taken to an undisclosed location. They were, however, brought back after about an hour and while returning, both Sathyanarayana and his wife were carrying two heavy bags, eyewitness said.  

Income Tax sleuths also visited Sri Raja Soap Networks, the factory owned by Shivakumar’s father-in-law Thimmaiah. The factory, located at 32/D, 2nd Block, Industrial Suburb, Mysuru. The factory markets its soap-nut powder under the brand name SR Seegepudi and there is an exclusive outlet on Seebaiah Road near Boti Bazaar.

I-T sleuths examined the records at the factory and took some of the documents to Thimmaiah’s Ittigegud house for further examination. Interestingly, the factory that employs 50 people has stopped production since yesterday, soon after the news of the I-T raid spread.

Thimmaiah’s neighbours told Star of Mysore that the house was built 25 years ago and whenever, Shivakumar was in Mysuru he would come there for breakfast. Be it a political event or personal work, Shivakumar made it a point to have food at his in-law’s place.

He had come there when he was on a campaign trail for the Gundlupet and Nanjangud by-elections in April 2017, neighbours said.

For the record, Shivakumar is the second richest Minister in the country with assets worth Rs. 251 crore. He also topped this list with liabilities of Rs. 105 crore. In 2013 Assembly polls, he was among of the richest candidates contesting the polls in Karnataka with an increase of Rs. 176 crore from 2008 elections.