Belagavi

A few weeks after multiple raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the properties of Joint Commissioner of Excise Y Manjunath, who is the brother in law of PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, the ED conducted searches at around 18 premises linked to the minister, including his residence in Bengaluru's Dollars Colony, government quarters and properties in Belagavi and Gokak, as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in the issuance of bar licences and various other issues.

The searches, which began early in the morning on Wednesday, were also carried out at premises linked to his daughter and Chikkodi MP Priyanka Jarkiholi and other family-linked locations and properties. Locations in Maharashtra were also covered as part of the operation, according to sources close to Jarkiholi.

The ED action is reportedly linked to its ongoing probe into alleged corruption in the Karnataka Excise Department, including irregularities surrounding the issuance of 18 bar licences and suspected movement of illicit funds.

Investigators are examining whether Jarkiholi allegedly used his influence to facilitate the licences and whether funds generated through the alleged irregularities were subsequently transferred or invested abroad. During the earlier investigation into the raids conducted on Manjunath's properties, the agency reportedly detected cash, gold and foreign currency, with about Rs 3 crore in suspected illegal foreign funds also coming under scrutiny.

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar termed the ED searches on properties linked to the minister as "politically motivated". He also questioned the timing of the searches, which came a day before the Congress government led by him completes 100 days in office.

Asserting that he would stand by Jarkiholi, who he said had done no wrong, the CM said he had cautioned all his ministers and party legislators about possible action by Central agencies against them. He claimed that his government and the party were being "targeted".