Mangaluru: In a significant anti-corruption drive, Karnataka Lokayukta police conducted simultaneous searches at multiple properties linked to Babu B N, Assistant Drug Controller in the office of the Regional Deputy Drug Controller, Mangaluru. The raids, carried out on April 7, 2026, targeted his house and commercial shops in Bagepalli town of Chikkaballapur district, his houses and flat in Bengaluru, his residence in Mangaluru, and his office premises.
Acting on a source report submitted by Police Inspector Chandrashekhar K N, the Lokayukta police registered a case against Babu B N on April 6, 2026, under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The investigation focuses on assets allegedly disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Six teams of Lokayukta police, led by Superintendent of Police B P Dinesh Kumar (Karnataka Lokayukta, Mangaluru division), executed the coordinated operation. The teams included DySPs Dr Gana P Kumar and Suresh Kumar, along with Police Inspectors Manjunath, Bharati G, Shivaraj Kumar, and Rajendra Nayak, supported by personnel from Lokayukta units in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Chikkaballapur districts.
According to Lokayukta police, searches were carried out at Babu’s house and commercial shops in Bagepalli town of Chikkaballapur district, his houses and flat in Bengaluru, his residence in Mangaluru, and his office premises. Preliminary estimates indicate that movable and immovable assets worth Rs 3,37,04,000 (Rs 3.37 crore) have been unearthed in connection with the official.
During the searches at his Bengaluru residence, authorities recovered cash amounting to Rs 23,64,000 along with gold and silver ornaments. Further details on the full inventory of properties and valuables from other locations are expected as the investigation progresses.
Babu B N, son of late Nanjundappa N, holds a key position in the drug control department. The Lokayukta operation is part of ongoing efforts to probe corruption among public servants in Karnataka. No arrests have been reported so far, and the probe remains active.
This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of government officials by the Lokayukta police in the state. Officials have not issued any formal statements beyond confirming the raids and the value of assets detected.
The case highlights the Lokayukta’s proactive approach in acting on credible intelligence to curb disproportionate assets among serving officials. Updates on further seizures, interrogations, or legal proceedings are awaited as the investigation continues.
