Daijiworld Media Network – Brahmavar

Brahmavar, June 6: In a well-coordinated operation by the Karnataka Lokayukta, assistant executive engineer Ashok Poojary of the Mescom office in Brahmavar was caught red-handed on the morning of Friday, June 6, while accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from a member of the public.

Poojary had allegedly been harassing the complainant for nearly two months, delaying electricity connections to their residence. Despite the work being part of his official duties, he demanded a bribe to proceed.

Unwilling to succumb to the demand, the citizen filed a complaint with the Udupi Lokayukta police. Based on this complaint, a trap was laid, and Poojary was apprehended while accepting the bribe inside the Mescom office in Brahmavar.

Ashok Poojary previously served as assistant executive engineer in Kundapura and has been posted in Brahmavar for the past three to four years.

The operation was carried out under the guidance of Kumarachandra, superintendent of police (in-charge), Karnataka Lokayukta, Mangaluru. The team was led by Manjunath, deputy superintendent of police (in-charge), Karnataka Lokayukta, Udupi, and included police inspectors Rajendra Naik (Udupi) and Bharati G (Mangaluru), along with Lokayukta personnel from both Udupi and Mangaluru units.

Poojary has been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway.