Belagavi, Karnataka - An Assistant Executive Engineer from the District Urban Development Department in Belagavi, identified as Ajay Singh Bapusingh Rajput, is facing a sweeping investigation following the discovery of assets significantly exceeding his declared income. The Lokayukta's probe, initiated after raids conducted on April 7, 2026, has so far unearthed holdings valued at over ₹14 crore.
The scale of the found assets, encompassing precious metals, significant bank deposits, luxury vehicles, and multiple properties, has triggered a major corruption inquiry. The Lokayukta has explicitly stated that the investigation is ongoing, with a focus on understanding the provenance of these holdings in relation to Rajput's official earnings.
Raids extended across seven locations, including Rajput's residence in Anjaneya Nagar. Seized items detailed in reports include:
6 kg of gold
5 kg of silver
₹3.12 crore in bank deposits
A collection of luxury cars and bikes
This situation brings to light a recurring pattern of officials allegedly accumulating wealth far beyond their salary scales, raising serious questions about public trust and accountability within government departments.
Read More: Pudussery Clerk Arrested for Taking ₹2,500 for Residence Certificate on Thursday
A Life of Contrasts
Reports suggest Rajput's career trajectory presents a stark contrast to his current financial standing. One account notes that he began his professional journey as an ordinary daily wage worker before reportedly amassing considerable illegal wealth. This alleged transformation from a low-wage earner to a multi-crore asset holder is a central point of the current investigation.
Broader Context of Alleged Official Misconduct
The Belagavi case is not an isolated incident. Similar probes have been conducted nationwide involving government officials accused of possessing disproportionate assets:
In February 2026, Lokayukta raids in Karnataka linked to a senior government engineer allegedly unearthed wealth worth ₹23.76 crore. During searches at a friend's residence, ₹1.7 crore in cash was seized.
During August 2025, an engineer in Bihar was found to possess hidden assets exceeding ₹100 crore, with raids by the EOU recovering cash, bank deposits, land, and jewelry.
Also in August 2025, raids in Bihar on engineers serving under ministers Ashok Chaudhary and Jayant Raj allegedly revealed assets worth ₹150 crore, exposing a suspected hawala network and the use of fake companies.
In September 2025, the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) seized ₹2 crore in cash from a government employee accused of amassing wealth disproportionate to his income.
Around May 2025, a Chief Engineer in Odisha was investigated after ₹2.1 crore in unaccounted cash was seized during simultaneous raids. A viral video even depicted the engineer throwing cash from a window during the operation.
In May 2019, Lokayukta police in Indore raided an IDA sub-engineer, uncovering assets valued at ₹10 crore, significantly more than his expected earnings over 32 years of service.
An older case from February 2015 saw the CBI investigate a Uttar Pradesh government engineer accused of amassing assets worth an astonishing ₹10,000 crore.
These instances, spanning various regions and levels of government service, underscore a persistent issue of alleged financial impropriety among public servants, prompting ongoing scrutiny and investigative efforts.
