Lokayukta officials conduct raids at 25 locations in Shivamogga, seize 17,000 metric tonnes of illegally extracted sand

In a major operation, Karnataka Lokayukta officials on Saturday conducted raids at 25 locations across Shivamogga district and seized approximately 17,000 metric tonnes of illegally extracted sand, along with 52 vehicles.

Spread across 15 teams, the officers carried out simultaneous raids on the banks of the Tungabhadra and Sharavathi rivers in Shivamogga, Bhadravathi, Tirthahalli, Sagar, and Hosanagara taluks, following a suo motu case registered by the Karnataka Lokayukta in Bengaluru.

The teams were led by M.S. Koulapur, Superintendent of Police, and B.P. Chandrashekhar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Karnataka Lokayukta, Shivamogga. During the raids, officers found evidence of illegal sand extraction from riverbeds and its transportation. They seized earth movers, trucks, tractors, boats, and sand filter machines. The Lokayukta directed officers of the Mines and Geology Department, Police, Revenue Department, Road Transport Office, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, and the Public Works Department to initiate further legal action.

The officers also searched the office of the Senior Geologist of the Department of Mines and Geology in Shivamogga and examined documents related to sand mining in the district.

Lokayukta officials from Shivamogga, Davanagere, Haveri, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, and Belagavi districts took part in the operation, according to a press release issued by the Lokayukta.

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