Who is KGF Babu? Explore his real name, how he built his massive fortune, family life, political journey, and about Karnataka’s richest politician!

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KGF Babu

KGF Babu, a name that echoes wealth, ambition, and controversy, has become a larger-than-life figure in Karnataka, India.

Known as Yusuf Sharif, this businessman-turned-politician has captured attention with his staggering fortune, political aspirations, and colorful personal life.

From his humble beginnings in Kolar Gold Fields to becoming Karnataka’s richest politician, his story is one of grit, luck, and relentless drive.

In this blog post, we will explore every facet of KGF Babu’s life, his real name, how he became rich, his family, political career, controversies, and more.

Who Is KGF Babu?

Yusuf Sharif, popularly known as KGF Babu, is a prominent figure from Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Born in Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), a historic mining town, he earned the nickname “KGF Babu” due to his roots and his rise from poverty to immense wealth.

He is also called “Scrap Babu” or “Gujari Babu” because of his early days in the scrap trade.

At 54, Yusuf has made headlines as a real estate tycoon and a controversial politician.

His assets were once declared at ₹1,743 crore, making him Karnataka’s richest political figure in 2021.

Yusuf’s life is a classic rags-to-riches tale. Growing up in a family of 14 siblings, he faced extreme poverty.

His father ran a struggling bakery, and Yusuf dropped out of school after Class 5.

Despite these challenges, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to build a business empire, primarily through real estate and scrap trading.

His story resonates with many, but it is also shrouded in controversy, with allegations of illegal wealth accumulation and political maneuvering.

How Did KGF Babu Become So Rich?

Yusuf Sharif’s journey to wealth is a mix of hard work, luck, and sharp business sense.

Starting as a daily wager in the scrap division of Bharat Gold Mines in KGF, he took on odd jobs, including driving an autorickshaw, to support his family after his father’s bakery failed.

His big break came in the early 2000s when he won a bid for 21 mill tanks at an auction in KGF.

These tanks, used to purify gold ore during the colonial era, reportedly contained 13 kg of gold, which Yusuf sold for a massive profit.

This windfall was the spark that changed his life.

Using this newfound wealth, Yusuf ventured into real estate, buying and selling land in Bengaluru and Kolar during the city’s real estate boom.

His investments grew exponentially, and he diversified into agricultural and non-agricultural properties, commercial ventures, and other businesses.

By 2021, his election affidavit revealed movable assets worth ₹97.98 crore (including 4.8 kg of gold and a ₹1.10 crore hand watch) and immovable assets worth ₹1,643.59 crore.

His total net worth was ₹1,743 crore, though by 2023, it was reported at ₹1,633 crore after selling some properties to fund social initiatives.

Recent media speculation, including a 2025 TV9 Kannada interview, suggested his wealth could be as high as ₹7,000 crore, though these figures are unverified.

Despite his claims of legitimate earnings, critics allege that Yusuf’s wealth stems from questionable means, including muscle power and illicit deals during his scrap trading days.

He denies these accusations, emphasizing his journey from poverty to prosperity as proof of his hard work.

KGF Babu’s Political Journey: Party And Constituency

Yusuf Sharif has been deeply involved in politics, primarily with the Indian National Congress (INC).

He contested the 2021 Karnataka Legislative Council (MLC) elections from the Bengaluru Urban seat as a Congress candidate but lost by a narrow margin of 397 votes.

His political ambitions have centered on the Chickpet Assembly constituency in Bengaluru, a diverse area with a significant Muslim population of over 40,000 voters.

Yusuf has nurtured this constituency through welfare programs, aiming to build a strong voter base.

In 2023, Yusuf faced a major setback when the Congress suspended him for predicting the party would win fewer than 80 seats in the Karnataka Assembly elections.

Frustrated by the party’s refusal to grant him a ticket for Chickpet, he fielded his second wife, Shazia Tarannum, as an independent candidate in the 2023 elections.

She later withdrew, and Yusuf contested as an independent, securing 20,931 votes but finishing third behind the BJP’s Uday Garudachar.

Yusuf’s political strategy includes ambitious welfare promises, such as spending ₹350 crore from his funds to provide ₹5,000 to each household in Chickpet for education and welfare from 2022 to 2027.

He also pledged to build 3,000 multi-storey flats for slum dwellers and provide 60,000 scholarships.

These promises have drawn both admiration and skepticism, with critics accusing him of voter inducement.

KGF Babu’s Caste And Background

Yusuf Sharif belongs to the Muslim community, a key aspect of his identity in Karnataka’s diverse political landscape.

While caste often plays a significant role in Indian politics, Yusuf’s public image is more tied to his wealth and entrepreneurial success than specific caste affiliations.

His focus on Chickpet, with its large Muslim voter base, reflects his strategic alignment with community interests.

His story of overcoming poverty resonates across communities, making him a relatable yet polarizing figure.

KGF Babu’s Family: Wives, Children, And Drama

Yusuf Sharif’s family life is as eventful as his career.

He has two wives and five children, and his family has often been in the spotlight due to their wealth and public activities.

Wives

Ruksana Taj: Yusuf’s first wife, Ruksana, is involved in his business ventures, including Umrah Developers. She faced scrutiny from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2022 for a money-laundering case. Her assets include ₹98.96 lakh in movable assets and ₹1.30 crore in immovable assets.
Shazia Tarannum: His second wife, Shazia, is a homemaker with limited formal education (up to Class 7). In 2023, she filed nomination papers as an independent candidate from Chickpet, declaring assets worth ₹1,622 crore, making her one of the richest candidates in the election. She later withdrew to support Yusuf’s campaign.

Children

Yusuf has five children: one daughter, Umra Fareef, and four sons, including Afnan.

Limited details are available about his children, but they are linked to the family’s wealth, with bank accounts in their names holding significant sums.

In July 2025, Yusuf made headlines by accusing his son and son-in-law of cheating him out of ₹200 crore in assets and ₹20 crore in gold jewelry, sparking public interest in his family dynamics.

Family Disputes

The 2025 allegations against his son and son-in-law, aired in a TV9 Kannada interview, revealed tensions over property and business dealings.

Yusuf claimed he had given away 200 houses for free in Chickpet but faced legal challenges from his family.

He even vowed to distribute his entire wealth to Chickpet residents, a statement that stirred both support and controversy.

KGF Babu’s Son’s Wedding

While specific details about Yusuf’s son’s wedding are not widely documented, his lavish lifestyle suggests that any such event would be extravagant.

Given his ownership of a Rolls-Royce Phantom and other luxury assets, a family wedding would likely be a high-profile affair.

Media speculation points to significant spending, similar to the ₹500 crore wedding of politician G. Janardhana Reddy’s daughter in 2016, though no confirmed reports exist for Yusuf’s family.

KGF Babu’s House: Ruksana Palace Nivasa

Yusuf lives in Ruksana Palace Nivasa, a luxurious residence on Millers Road in Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru.

Valued at approximately ₹3 crore, this palatial home symbolizes his wealth and is a hub for his political and social activities.

The property has been raided multiple times by the Income Tax (IT) department and the Enforcement Directorate, with officials seizing voter IDs, cheques, sarees, and other items allegedly meant for voter distribution.

Despite these controversies, Ruksana Palace remains a landmark of Yusuf’s success.

KGF Babu’s Car Collection

Yusuf’s love for luxury is evident in his car collection.

His most famous vehicle is a Rolls-Royce Phantom, previously owned by Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan and valued at ₹2 crore.

Transport officials seized the car due to missing documentation, adding to Yusuf’s list of controversies.

His affidavit lists three vehicles worth ₹2.99 crore, though specific models remain undisclosed.

Recent posts on X in 2025 highlighted his “car craze,” suggesting he owns other high-end vehicles that reflect his opulent lifestyle.

How To Contact KGF Babu

Reaching KGF Babu directly is difficult due to his high-profile status and security concerns.

He does not share personal contact details publicly. However, you can try the following:

Business Offices: Yusuf operates through Umrah Developers and Umrah Real Estate Company in Bengaluru. Visiting these offices may require an appointment.
Political Channels: As a former Congress leader, contacting him via the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office in Bengaluru is a formal option.
Public Events: Yusuf often engages with Chickpet residents through welfare programs. Attending these events could provide a chance to connect.

Be wary of unofficial sources claiming to provide his phone number or WhatsApp details, as they may be unreliable.

KGF Babu’s Controversies

Yusuf Sharif’s wealth and political ambitions have attracted significant scrutiny.

Here are some key controversies:

Income Tax Raids (2023): IT officials raided his Bengaluru residence and 50 other properties, seizing 1,925 cheques worth ₹5,000 each, 394 sarees, 481 Van Heusen suits, and over 1,000 voter IDs, alleging voter inducement.
Enforcement Directorate Probe (2022-2023): The ED investigated Yusuf and his first wife, Ruksana, in a money-laundering case, uncovering ₹70 crore in bank accounts linked to his family, including his daughter Umra Fareef and son Afnan.
Criminal Cases: Yusuf faces eight pending criminal cases, including a 2019 cheating case related to Umrah Developers and a 2014 assault complaint by Ruksana. He was also booked under the POCSO Act, though details are limited.
Congress Suspension (2023): His suspension from Congress for anti-party remarks added to his political woes, pushing him to contest as an independent.
Family Disputes (2025): Yusuf’s accusations against his son and son-in-law for cheating him out of ₹200 crore fueled public drama, with protests near his residence reported on X.

Despite these challenges, Yusuf insists his wealth is legitimate, earned through scrap trading and real estate.

He continues to position himself as a philanthropist, pledging to give back to society.

KGF Babu In Bengaluru

Bengaluru is the heart of Yusuf’s empire.

His businesses, residence, and political activities are centered in the city, particularly in Chickpet and Vasanth Nagar.

His real estate ventures have shaped Bengaluru’s landscape, with hundreds of acres of land under his name.

His welfare initiatives, like building homes for slum dwellers and distributing cheques, have made him a local icon, though critics argue these are vote-buying tactics.

Posts on X in 2025 describe him as a polarizing figure, with some residents praising his generosity and others protesting alleged cheque-bouncing incidents.

Recent Updates In 2025

As of July 2025, Yusuf Sharif remains in the spotlight.

A TV9 Kannada interview revealed his frustration with family disputes, claiming his son and son-in-law cheated him out of ₹200 crore.

He also vowed to distribute his wealth to Chickpet residents, a statement that sparked protests near his home.

Despite his 2023 electoral loss, Yusuf continues to engage with Chickpet, promising to build more homes and fund welfare programs.

Speculation about his net worth reaching ₹7,000 crore has surfaced, but no official records confirm this figure.

His legal battles, including ED and IT probes, remain ongoing, keeping him in the public eye.

Conclusion

Yusuf Sharif, or KGF Babu, is a man of contradictions: a billionaire with humble roots, a philanthropist accused of voter inducement, and a politician navigating controversies.

His journey from a scrap dealer to Karnataka’s richest politician is inspiring yet contentious.

Whether it is his palatial Ruksana Palace, his Rolls-Royce Phantom, or his ambitious welfare schemes, KGF Babu’s story keeps Karnataka talking.

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Trivia: A Golden Opportunity

Did you know that KGF Babu’s nickname “Scrap Babu” comes from his early days buying scrap in Kolar Gold Fields? His big break came when he found 13 kg of gold in old mill tanks, a lucky deal that launched his journey to billionaire status!