The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches on premises linked to Karnataka Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi in an alleged excise licence irregularities and money laundering case, officials said.
“The officials arrived at Jarkiholi’s house in Dollars Colony in two cars and began examining documents, according to the information provided,” said an official of the local police station.
The searches are also taking place in other locations in Bengaluru, Belagavi and parts of Maharashtra.
At several locations, ED officials, accompanied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, entered residences and offices to examine documents and other records.
The operation also involves Jarkiholi’s brother-in-law Manjunath, whose residences in Bengaluru and Belagavi had earlier been searched. Cash and gold ornaments worth more than ₹13 crore were seized during those searches.
The ED’s action relates to allegations of unauthorised distribution of excise licences and money laundering. Manjunath was earlier searched by the agency in connection with alleged excise irregularities. The allegations against Jarkiholi relate to the granting of licences to 18 bars.