Raid reveals MLA’s riches

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Bengaluru: The Lokayukta police on Friday searched the houses and offices of Gurmitkal MLA Baburao Chinchansur on Friday. The Lokayukta police had registered an FIR against the MLA for allegedly amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The police raided eight premises of the MLA, his relatives and business partners in Humnabad, Gulbarga and Bengaluru. In the locker of one contractor, identified as Ramesh, who is the MLA’s relative and business partner, police recovered 1.6 kg of gold and documents pertaining to 32 acres of land in and around Gulbarga.    
Police also found documents relating to 19 pieces of land, six industries, three educational institutions and three high-end cars. A police team even found two cast iron chairs which appeared to be gold-plated.
One Shanthappa, a native of Kanalli village in Yadgir district, had filed the private complaint accusing Mr Chinchansur of concealing information about his assets in the returns that he had filed. He alleged that though the MLA had declared his property to be worth Rs 6.92 crore, it was more than Rs 14.52 crore, including Rs 7.60 crore worth assets which were not disclosed in the returns.
The complainant had also stated that the MLA has not disclosed his bank details. During the searches on Friday, police found Rs 8.94 lakh in cash and 12 bank accounts in various banks, which are still being examined. Late on Friday evening, one of the accounts in the name of the MLA’s wife was verified and Rs 1.57 crore has been recovered. The household articles at the MLA’s Bengaluru and Gulbarga houses have been estimated at Rs 25 lakh.
Police are yet to ascertain the value of the six industries owned by the MLA. “The MLA owns Shakti Dal Mill and Godown, Amar Wineries, Sai Chemicals, Shakti Oil Industry and Bio Fertilizers, all in Humnabad.
All the six industries are in the name of the MLA’s wife Amareshwari. The value of some properties in Gulbarga and Humnabad also yet to be ascertained,’’ the official said.
The four-time MLA was first elected in 1989 from Chittapur constituency and was also Minister of state for small savings, insurance and muzrai between 1999 and 2004.