I still don’t understand why ED raided my brother-in-law: Satish Jarkiholi

Officials of the Executive Directorate inspecting the residence of Y. Manjunath, who is Additional Commissioner of Excise and also brother-in-law of Minister Satish Jarkiholi, in Belagavi. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi said he is yet to understand the reason behind the raid on his brother-in-law and Additional Excise Commissioner Y. Manjunath by the Executive Directorate.

Speaking to presspersons in Belagavi on Friday, Mr. Jarkiholi said that since Manjunath is an employee of the state government, the Lokayukta could inquire about the corruption allegations.

The minister said that Manjunath will have to face investigation and the charges brought against him legally.

Earlier, the Lokayukta had registered an FIR against Manjunath for corruption. However, the Karnataka High Court quashed the FIR, he said.

Mr. Jarkiholi said that this is the first time that such a large-scale raid has been conducted by the ED on civil servants.

“I cannot say now that this raid is politically motivated. Whether the raid was carried out on the Jarkiholi family or for other reasons will be known in a few months,” he said.

Mr. Jarkiholi also said that such raids would take place when the elections were near. Most Congress leaders fear being subjected to such raids ahead of elections, he added.

Published – 26 Jun 2026 20:45 IST