Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, June 18: A surveyor from the Mangaluru UPOR (Urban Property Ownership Record) office was caught red-handed by the Karnataka Lokayukta police while accepting a bribe of Rs 2,000 on Tuesday. This brings the total bribe amount allegedly taken by him to Rs 43,500.

According to a press release by Karnataka Lokayukta, Mangaluru division, the complainant’s mother had applied in February 2025 for a single site sketch and property card for her properties in Kankanady and Bajal villages. Due to her age, the complainant followed up on the file at the Mangaluru UPOR office.

Surveyor Nandeesh & mediator Diwakar

Surveyor Nandeesh from the office is said to have conducted the survey in April 2025 and then allegedly accepted a bribe of Rs 6,500 directly, in addition to Rs 20,000 through a mediator named Diwakar from Bejai, Mangaluru.

Later, Nandeesh reportedly demanded an additional Rs 18,000 to issue the sketch and property card. The complainant filed a complaint with the Lokayukta police station in Mangaluru with supporting evidence. A case was registered against Surveyor Nandeesh and the mediator Diwakar.

The press note also mentioned that in June 2025, another Rs 15,000 was collected via Diwakar. Altogether, Nandeesh had allegedly received Rs 43,500 as bribe.

On June 18, 2025, while accepting an additional Rs 2,000 from the complainant, Nandeesh was caught in a trap laid by the Lokayukta police. He was taken into custody, and investigations are ongoing against both the surveyor and the mediator.

The trap operation was conducted under the guidance of Kumarachandra, superintendent of police (in-charge), Karnataka Lokayukta, Mangaluru division. The team included deputy superintendent of police Dr Gana P Kumar, inspectors Suresh Kumar P, Bharathi G, and Chandrashekhar K N, along with staff from the Mangaluru Lokayukta police station.