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The Enforcement Directorate (ED), on Wednesday, September 9, conducted searches at multiple premises linked to Karnataka Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi, his daughter and Chikkodi Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Jarkiholi, and others as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in the issuance of bar licences.
According to multiple reports, around 18 premises are being searched, including the 64-year-old minister’s residence in Bengaluru’s Dollars Colony and premises linked to his daughter. The searches are being carried out at more than 15 locations across Karnataka and Maharashtra, including residences, family-linked properties, businesses and premises associated with the Jarkiholi family.
The searches cover multiple locations in Bengaluru, as well as Belagavi and Gokak, while premises linked to people associated with the minister are also under scrutiny. There was no immediate clarity on whether Satish Jarkiholi was present at any of the locations being searched.
The ED action is linked to a probe into alleged irregularities surrounding the issuance of 18 bar licences. Investigators are examining allegations that Jarkiholi used his influence to facilitate the licences and that illicit funds were subsequently routed abroad. The agency is also looking into the financial trail connected to the alleged irregularities.
The searches are also linked to the agency’s earlier investigation involving Y. Manjunath, a senior Excise official and Jarkiholi’s brother-in-law. The ED had searched Manjunath and others in June this year under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, following a Lokayukta Police FIR concerning alleged corruption among excise officials.
The earlier investigation concerned allegations that liquor licences were obtained in violation of rules and that illicit wealth was generated through the process. The ED had described the alleged activity as an “organised syndicate involving public officials, intermediaries and private individuals engaged in systematic collection and distribution of bribes”.
The agency is examining whether proceeds generated through alleged irregular issuance of licences were laundered or transferred outside India. Sources cited in the copy said around Rs 3 crore in illegal foreign funds had reportedly been detected during an earlier stage of the investigation.
Satish Jarkiholi had previously said he did not understand why his brother-in-law Manjunath was raided, arguing that the Lokayukta could have investigated the corruption allegations. However, he had stopped short of describing the ED action as politically motivated.
Jarkiholi had also served as Karnataka’s Excise Minister between 2013 and 2016. The Hindu copy noted that the ED had not clarified whether Wednesday’s searches against the minister are connected to the earlier excise case or constitute a separate investigation.
