Daijiworld Media Network – Ballari (EP)

Ballari, Mar 17: Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) raided houses owned by K Marigadi, acting sub-registrar of Hoovina Hadagali in Ballari, on Thursday, March 16 and unearthed six sites, other property and that he has three wives.

There are no records concerning Marigadi's marriage with his first wife Huligemma and third wife Sudha. His second wife Yallamma though, has filed for divorce in Siriguppa court, whose hearing is in progress. "During the investigations, six sites were found in his wife Sudha's name," said Kalaburgi and Bellary ACB SP Anita Haddennanavara.

ACB SP Anita further said, "The houses in Basaveshwara layout include those in the names of Marigadi's first wife Huligemma, third wife Sudha and deed-writer Althaf, who is said to be close to Marigadi. Records relating to houses of Kadalabalu grama resident A M Kotresha and Kadalebalu camp's Suryanarayana who are also close to Marigadi are being scrutinized. Kotresha has a DTP centre near the office of the Tahsildar. Touts are handling all the work concerning registrations of land, sites and looking after all the affairs concerning Marigadi. Suryanarayana hails from Andhra Pradesh and earns his living through agriculture. Records of Hoovina Hadagali deputy registrar office where Marigadi is working are also on the radar."

"Rs 3.5 lac in cash, and an apartment in the name of Marigadi's son were found during the raid. A car and two two-wheelers were also seized. Investigation on properties is in progress. Amassing property beyond his known source of income is already found at the onset of investigation," she added.

Marigadi had worked as an attender in the deputy registrar office from 1989 to 1991. He was later promoted to second division assistant before getting assigned to the Hosapete office. Though there were orders for his promotion a few months ago, he rejected it fearing transfer to another district and had continued as SDA.

Tip-off about raid

It is said that the sub-registrar knew of the raid a few months ago. The rumour about the tip-off was heard after raids in the deputy registrar's office on Thursday. There were arguments about money among the staff members during work. Marigadi suspected his adversaries to have conspired against him, thereby complaining to ACB officials.

Marigadi who had recently taken over as the acting sub-registrar in Hoovina Hadagali, is said to have commuted from Hosapete everyday. He was suspended when he worked in Hagaribommanahalli office of the deputy registrar as the SDA, for dereliction of duty. He was assigned the Hosapete office after a few months, when his suspension orders were revoked.