The Karnataka Lokayukta on Saturday caught Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Dr Chandru Lamani red-handed while accepting bribe from a contractor, officials said.
The MLA, along with his personal aides Manjunath Valmiki and Gurunayak, were later arrested and are currently being interrogated, they added.
According to officials, Lamani allegedly demanded a sum of $11 lakh as commission from Category I contractor Vijay Pujar for awarding a $Roadside retaining wall project worth Rs 1 crore. Unwilling to pay the bribe, Poojar approached the Lokayukta and filed a formal complaint.
Officials said an audio recording surfaced two days ago in which Lamani was allegedly heard demanding money. “We have obtained audio evidence indicating an illegal demand for gratification. Accordingly, an FIR was registered and a trap was planned,” Lokayukta SP Siddalingappa said.
The officer added: “The accused were arrested while accepting the advance amount. The investigation is still ongoing.”
Reacting to this development, State Contractors Association president Manjunath said: “Elected representatives should not indulge in such practices. This action proves that the allegations regarding commission demands were not baseless. It is a victory for contractors fighting corruption.” He also confirmed his full support for the complainant.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said, “I am not fully aware of the details yet. Our party has never supported bribery. The truth should come out after a proper investigation.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticized the BJP over the issue. “What will the BJP leaders say now? They must respond, right? It is easy to level allegations of corruption and bribery against others.”
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar reacted to the development in a sarcastic tone. “Aren’t BJP politicians the most honest in the country?” He said.
“BJP leaders cannot be corrupt. Someone must have given you false information. Let us wait for Lokayukta to make his statement, and then I will make my comments,” he added.
