5 police officials of Karnataka arrested

Five police officials of Karnataka, including one who won the chief minister's medal, were arrested and suspended following a raid by the Lok Ayukta which led to the uncovering of Rs 60 crore in total assets allegedly possessed by them disproportionate to their known sources of income.

"I have already given direction for their suspension and initiation of necessary legal action," Kumaraswamy told reporters following the day-long raids on Tuesday by Lok Ayukta officials, that led to the arrest of the five police officials.

Among the arrested are a deputy superintendent of police, a central crime branch (fraud and misappropriation) inspector and three inspectors, including one who had been conferred the chief minister's medal, were arrested.

Documents relating to 45 sites in and around Bangalore, two apartments and 2.5 acre of farmhouse near Doddaballapur and another 2.5 acre of residential land here and other valuables worth over Rs 20 crore were allegedly found in the possession of an inspector, according to Lok Ayukta sources.

Cash, jewellery and possession of sites with assets alleged to be disproportionate to their known sources of income were found during the raids, the sources said.

Asked about arming Lok Ayukta with more powers, Kumaraswamy, who released the common minimum programme of the JD(S)-BJP coalition government, said the government would take a decision in this regard soon.

The CMP promised to initiate steps to strengthen the Lok Ayukta institution to weed out corruption and also to make the state information commission stronger.