Salary Rs 15,000, assets worth Rs 30 crore: Karnataka’s ex-Clerk owns 24 houses, 40-acre farm land

Mangalore Today News Network

Koppal, Aug 1, 2025: A former clerk at the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) in Koppal, Kalakappa Nidagundi, has been found to have amassed assets worth over Rs 30 crore, despite a modest monthly salary of Rs 15,000. The discovery was made during a raid by Lokayukta officials.

The investigation revealed that Nidagundi, a former daily wage employee, possessed an astonishing amount of wealth, including 24 houses, 4 plots of land, and 40 acres of agricultural land. The assets were registered under his name, as well as the names of his wife and her brother.

Authorities also seized 350 grams of gold, 1.5 kg of silver ornaments, and four vehicles, including two cars and two two-wheelers.

Nidagundi and former KRIDL Engineer Z.M. Chincholkar are accused of misappropriating more than Rs 72 crore by creating fake documents and bills for 96 projects that were never completed.

Following a complaint to the Lokayukta, officials conducted an inspection with a court order, leading to the shocking discovery of the extensive assets.

Koppal MLA K Raghavendra Hitnal confirmed that the government is taking the matter seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation to take appropriate action.

The authorities are trying to ascertain if he amassed this wealth out of corrupt practices during his service or through the fake bill scam he was involved in along with Chincholkar after his serviced ended.