A sitting MLA of the BJP in Karnataka was caught red-handed by Lokayukta police on Saturday while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh through his personal staff, officials said.
Chandru Lamani, the BJP MLA from Shirahatti constituency in Gadag district, was apprehended during a trap operation conducted at a private hospital he owns in Lakshmeshwar town. The action followed a complaint filed by contractor Vijay Pujar, who alleged that the MLA had demanded money to facilitate a government contract.
Lamani’s personal assistants, identified as Guru and Manjunath, were also taken into custody for allegedly receiving the cash on his behalf. All three are currently being questioned by Lokayukta officials, including the Superintendent of Police in Gadag.
According to Lokayukta authorities, Lamani had allegedly demanded a commission of Rs 11 lakh from the contractor to help secure a Rs 1 crore contract related to the construction of a retention wall for a road-cum-bridge project.
Unwilling to pay the bribe, the contractor approached the Lokayukta police and lodged a formal complaint. Acting on the information, officials planned a trap operation. As part of the plan, the contractor agreed to pay the first instalment of Rs 5 lakh, which was handed over to the MLA’s assistants at the hospital premises. Lokayukta officials immediately intervened and detained the MLA and his aides during the transaction.
Officials noted that Lamani is the second sitting BJP MLA in Karnataka to be caught by Lokayukta police in a bribery case. In 2009, then MLA N Sampangi from Kolar Gold Fields was arrested while allegedly accepting Rs 5 lakh from a businessman to settle a land dispute case. The Lokayukta police said further investigation is underway, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings.
The incident has triggered political reactions in the state, raising fresh concerns over corruption in public office.
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