Daijiworld Media Network - Gadag
Gadag, Feb 21: In a major anti-corruption crackdown, the Karnataka Lokayukta on Saturday arrested BJP MLA Chandru Lamani of the Shirahatti Assembly constituency after allegedly catching him red-handed while accepting a Rs 5 lac bribe. The amount was part of an alleged total demand of Rs 11 lac.
According to Lokayukta police sources, Lamani had allegedly sought the bribe from a contractor in connection with work pertaining to the minor irrigation department in Gadag district. The complaint was lodged by Class-1 contractor Vijay Pujar of Chinchali village in Gadag taluk.
Acting on the complaint, Lokayukta officials laid a trap and apprehended Lamani while he was allegedly receiving Rs 5 lac at Balaji Hospital in Laxmeshwar town at around 2:15 pm. He was initially detained for questioning and later formally arrested.
Two of his personal assistants, Manjunath Valmiki and Guru Nayak, were also taken into custody in connection with the case.
During the raid, Guru Nayak allegedly threw an envelope containing Rs 50,000 in cash into the compound of a private school located behind the hospital. Lokayukta officials recovered the amount, along with Rs 4.50 lac seized from the hospital premises, taking the total recovered cash to Rs 5 lac.
The operation was carried out by Gadag Lokayukta DySP Vijay Biradar and Inspector Paramesh Kavatagi along with their team, under the leadership of Lokayukta SP Siddhalingappa.
Further investigation is under way.