Gadag (Karnataka), February 21 The Lokayukta police said on Saturday that they had caught BJP MLA Chandru Lamani allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh.
The trap was laid by the Gadag Lokayukta police based on a complaint filed by a contractor.
"Today, the Gadag Lokayukta police station successfully laid a trap. The accused public servant was caught while accepting Rs 5 lakh," officials said, adding that a case has been registered under Section 7(a) read with 7(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The complainant, Vijay Pujar, is a Class-I contractor from Chinchali in this district.
Lokayukta officials said the alleged bribe demand was linked to works under the Minor Irrigation Department, including the construction of retaining walls along a road.
"The accused had demanded Rs 11 lakh from the complainant to execute the work. During the trap, Rs 5 lakh was accepted," officials said.
Along with the MLA, who represents the Shirahatti Assembly constituency, his personal assistants — Manjunath Valmiki and Guru Naik — have also been secured in connection with the case.
"Accused 1, 2, and 3 have been secured, and the investigation is in progress," the Lokayukta said in a statement.