Thousands of Sarees, School Bags seized During Tax raid on Karnataka BJP MLC

Bengaluru: Officials from the Income Tax department on Tuesday raided the residence and office of BJP MLC R Shankar in Karnataka’s Haveri district. During the raid conducted ahead of coming assembly polls in the state, the officials seized 6,000 sarees and 9,000 bags. These were meant to be distributed among voters in his constituency. All bags had R Shankar’s photo printed on them.

Recently Election Commission of India had raised concerns about politicians offering freebies to lure voters ahead of Assembly polls in Karnataka.

According to sources, school bags and plates were also found during the raid. R Shankar has sought time to provide bills for the items

R Shankar is a former MLA and sitting MLC.

Shankar was elected as MLA from Ranebennur in the 2018 Assembly elections on Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janata Party ticket. He was supporting the Congress-JDS government. Later he decided to back the BJP. He was one of the legislators who were disqualified. BJP denied him a ticket in the bypolls and was made an MLC.

Earlier this month, Karnataka Lokayukta conducted a raid on BJP MLA Virupakshappa Madal and his son Prashanth’s house and office, which led to seizure of more than Rs 8 crore in cash.