₹3 Crore Cash Seized In ED Raids, Probe Widens Into Jarkiholi Family’s Africa Investments

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted raids on 18 properties belonging to Karnataka PWD Minister Sathish Jarkiholi and his associates in Bengaluru, Belagavi, and Goa. The raids led to the seizure of ₹3 crore in cash, with ₹1.2 crore taken from Jarkiholi's daughter, MP Priyanka Jarkiholi, and the remaining cash seized from the other 17 premises.

Authorities also collected numerous documents during the operation. However, the investigation remains ongoing as officials continue to examine documents, particularly from Jarkiholi's close associates.

ED sources indicate that the unaccounted cash might not be substantial compared to the family's investments and assets. The Jarkiholi family is known to have investments in sugar factories in Gokak taluk and other businesses across Bengaluru, Belagavi, and Goa. However, the ED is focusing on the family's overseas investments, especially in African countries like South Africa and Rwanda.

The family's investments are believed to have been made in the names of Satish Jarkiholi's son, Rahul, and sister, Lakshmi, who have no apparent income sources.

The ED is investigating a Rwanda business delegation that visited Bengaluru in 2024 to promote investment in their country. The delegation met with Sathish Jarkiholi, who was then the PWD Minister, during a trip to Vikasa Soudha. ED officials speculate that the discussions centered around the Jarkiholi family's potential investments in Rwanda, specifically in mining rare metals used in semiconductor manufacturing.

The authorities have obtained documents on these investments and are scrutinizing the methods used to acquire the funds and the individuals involved in the transactions. Furthermore, the ED is questioning Rahul and Lakshmi Jarkiholi about the sources of their money and attempting to prove that the investments were facilitated through money laundering activities.