Karnataka: IT raids on BJP minister, MLAs? residences

Bangalore : Office and residential premises of top BJP leaders, including Karnataka Health minister B Sriramulu and two other MLAs, and their associates were raided by officials of Income Tax Department across Karnataka on Monday.

Srimamulu?s residence in Bangalore was searched by IT sleuths, as also offices and residences of Koodligi MLA B Nagendra and Kampli legislator TH Suresh Babu.

The two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs, known to be involved in mining business, had their premises in Bangalore as well as their home towns raided.

A large number of documents have been reportedly seized and bank accounts have been frozen.

The raids were carried out simultaneously in several cities, including Bangalore, Hospet, Bellary, Hubli and Belgaum.

The raids were conducted in premises of people known to be close to the Reddy brothers, Jnanardhan and Karunakakra.

It also comes at a time when the BJP is facing allegations of trying to buy off legislators of other parties.