Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 4: In a major embarrassment for the state government, Jyothi Prakash (50), Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Karnataka energy minister K J George, was caught red-handed by Lokayukta police on Saturday evening while accepting a bribe.

According to a statement from the Lokayukta, Prakash and his car driver Naveen M (34) were arrested for allegedly demanding and receiving a bribe from a contractor, linked to an electricity clearance for a private developer.

The arrests were made following a complaint by Anantharaju K M (37), a resident of Byadarahalli, who alleged that the OSD demanded money to issue a 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) from Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) for a project by D R Developers.

While the initial demand was Rs 1 lac, the accused later agreed to settle for Rs 50,000. A trap was laid and the Lokayukta team caught the OSD and his driver in the act of accepting the cash.

A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and investigations are ongoing.