An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) attached to the Malavalli Rural police station in Mandya district was apprehended by the Karnataka Lokayukta on Wednesday evening for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10,000. The ASI, identified as Shivakumar, was reportedly caught red-handed while receiving the money from a local resident, Rajegowda, to secure his release on station bail.
According to officials, Shivakumar had allegedly demanded ₹10,000 from Rajegowda, promising to resolve a case registered against him following a local altercation and to ensure his release from police custody without further legal complications. Rajegowda, unwilling to comply with the bribe demand, approached the Lokayukta police and filed a formal complaint. He also provided an audio recording of a phone conversation in which the ASI purportedly made the demand for money.
Acting on the complaint, Lokayukta sleuths, under the supervision of Lokayukta SP S Sureshbabu, meticulously planned and executed a trap. The operation, led by DSP Sunil Kumar and Inspectors Lepakshamurthy and Byatarayagowda, culminated in the apprehension of ASI Shivakumar as he was allegedly accepting the bribe. The ASI was subsequently taken into custody, and further investigation into the matter is ongoing.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another anti-corruption action in Kalaburagi district, where Lokayukta officials arrested a woman police constable and an ASI from the Station Bazar Police Station for allegedly accepting a ₹10,000 bribe. In that case, the accused police personnel were alleged to have demanded money from a complainant in connection with a POCSO case, promising assistance in exchange for financial gratification. The complainant, after being solicited for a bribe, approached the Lokayukta, leading to the trap and subsequent arrests.
The Karnataka Lokayukta, an anti-corruption ombudsman, has been actively pursuing cases of bribery and misconduct involving public officials across the state. These operations aim to curb corruption and uphold integrity within government departments. The recent arrests underscore the ongoing efforts by the Lokayukta to investigate and act upon complaints of corruption, ensuring accountability for public servants involved in illicit activities.
The Chenab Times News Desk