Gadag (Karnataka), February 21 – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Chandru Lamani, representing the Shirahatti Assembly constituency, was caught in the act and taken into custody by the Karnataka Lokayukta on Saturday in connection with an alleged bribery case in the town of Laxmeshwar in Gadag district, Karnataka, according to an official statement by the Lokayukta.
This development is seen as a setback for the BJP, which has been targeting the Congress-led government in the state for demanding bribes, commissions from contractors, and failing to release their payments.
The Karnataka Lokayukta stated that a successful operation was carried out by the Gadag Karnataka Lokayukta Police under Section 7 (a) read with 7 (A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The accused has been secured, and further investigation is underway, the Lokayukta added.
The Lokayukta team caught BJP MLA Lamani while he was allegedly accepting Rs 5 lakh from a contractor as part of a larger bribe demand.
His government personal assistant, Manjunath Valmiki, and private assistant, Guru Lamani, were also detained and questioned during the operation, the official statement by the Lokayukta added.
According to the Karnataka Lokayukta, MLA Chandru Lamani had allegedly demanded Rs 11 lakh from a Class One contractor, identified as Vijay Poojar, in connection with the allocation of a contract under the Minor Irrigation Department.
The bribe was reportedly linked to the construction of roadside walls, including retaining walls on both sides of the road, Lokayukta officials said.
The operation was conducted under the leadership of Dharwad Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Siddalingappa.
Officials said that a trap was laid, and MLA Chandru Lamani and his associates were apprehended while accepting Rs 5 lakh as part of the alleged deal.
Following the operation, Lokayukta officials also conducted a search at the Balaji Hospital in Laxmeshwar town, which is owned by MLA Chandru Lamani.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
More details regarding the incident are yet to emerge.
Madal Virupakshappa, a former Karnataka BJP MLA, was arrested in a bribery case in 2023.
The Lokayukta Police had tracked BJP MLA to Channagiri town in Davanagere district, where he was scheduled to address a public meeting.
MLA Virupakshappa allegedly evaded police before being intercepted at a toll gate near Bengaluru.
His anticipatory bail was rejected by the Karnataka High Court.
The BJP MLA was named as the main accused in the bribery scam in Karnataka State Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL).
MLA Virupakshappa was named as the main accused in a corruption case lodged by the Karnataka Lokayukta after his son was caught taking a bribe of Rs 40 lakh.
In the raids that followed, Lokayukta authorities recovered Rs 6.1 crore in cash from his Sanjay Nagar residence and Rs 2.2 crore from his office.
A total of Rs 8.23 crore in cash, a large quantity of gold and silver ornaments, and substantial investments in land in Karnataka were also uncovered.
