Karkala Shocked as Lokayukta Raids MESCOM Officer Girish Rao Over Corruption Allegations

Karkala, Udupi District | June 1, 2025 —
In a high-profile crackdown on alleged government corruption, the Karnataka Lokayukta conducted simultaneous raids early Monday morning on the residence and associated properties of Girish Rao, an Accounts Officer at MESCOM (Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd.), in Karkala, rattling the usually quiet coastal town.

The raids, which began around 6:30 AM, were carried out by multiple Lokayukta teams deployed from Bengaluru and Mangaluru, acting on a warrant sanctioned by the Special Court for Anti-Corruption Cases. Rao is under investigation for alleged disproportionate assets and financial irregularities tied to his tenure in the state-run power utility.

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Raid Details: Cash, Documents, and Digital Evidence Seized

Sources within the Lokayukta department confirmed that:

• Several bundles of unaccounted cash amounting to over ₹15 lakh were recovered.

• Gold ornaments weighing nearly 750 grams were seized from the officer’s lockers.

• Property documents, high-value insurance policies, and several land registry files were found, which Rao allegedly failed to disclose in his mandatory asset declarations.

• Multiple hard drives, USB devices, and laptops were confiscated for forensic auditing.

According to DySP Lokayukta (Mangaluru Division) Ashok Shetty, the operation was the culmination of months of surveillance and preliminary inquiries triggered by an anonymous complaint and corroborating financial intelligence.

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Public Reactions: Shock, Concern, and Demands for Transparency

The news sent shockwaves across Karkala taluk, with MESCOM staff, local traders, and elected representatives expressing concern over the incident. While Rao was known to be a long-serving official, this sudden exposure has raised serious questions about internal auditing practices within MESCOM.

“We trust that Lokayukta’s actions are guided by strong evidence. If found guilty, strict disciplinary action must follow to restore public confidence,” said K. Rajesh, Karkala Town Municipal Councillor.

Locals gathered outside Rao’s residence in Kodange, watching as boxes of seized material were loaded into official vehicles. Many expressed disappointment, citing that Rao often portrayed himself as a “people’s officer”, engaging in community service and temple events.

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MESCOM’s Official Response

In an official statement released by MESCOM headquarters in Mangaluru, the utility company confirmed that Girish Rao had been placed under administrative suspension pending further investigation.

“MESCOM upholds the highest standards of accountability. We will fully cooperate with Lokayukta authorities and initiate our own internal inquiry,” said Chief Managing Director M.V. Ramesh.

Sources inside MESCOM hinted that audit reports from the last financial year raised flags about suspicious transaction entries related to contract handling and fund transfers.

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The Larger Context: Karnataka's Renewed Anti-Corruption Drive

The raid is seen as part of Karnataka’s intensified anti-corruption campaign launched earlier this year, following Chief Minister’s directive to cleanse public departments of “deep-rooted rot.” In recent months, Lokayukta has carried out raids on officials in PWD, Revenue, BBMP, and now the Energy Department.

The Lokayukta bench is reportedly also examining interdepartmental collusion, including links between accounts officers, vendors, and field engineers—a chain often responsible for inflated billing and embezzlement.

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Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

Girish Rao is expected to be summoned for a detailed inquiry later this week. Based on preliminary seizure reports, the Lokayukta will likely file a First Information Report (FIR) under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, including charges under Sections 13(1)(e) and 13(2) pertaining to accumulation of wealth disproportionate to known sources of income.

His passport has been temporarily flagged, preventing international travel until legal proceedings allow clearance.

Meanwhile, a special team of auditors from the State Electricity Regulatory Commission is scheduled to visit Karkala next week to examine Rao’s financial dealings over the last five years.

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Conclusion: Beginning of the End or Tip of the Iceberg?

While today's raid marks a turning point in the fight against corruption in coastal Karnataka’s utility sector, the unfolding case of Girish Rao may just be the tip of a deeper iceberg, say legal experts. The vigilance community hopes that this public exposure will send a message to others operating with impunity under the cloak of bureaucracy.

The residents of Karkala, a town steeped in heritage and known for civic harmony, are watching closely—hoping this incident becomes a lesson in integrity, not a tale of systemic rot.