Date:18/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/18/stories/2008061862600400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Officials caught by Lokayukta police

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Lokayukta police on Tuesday caught Deputy Commissioner of Excise, Mandya, L. Krishna Kumar, while he was allegedly accepting bribe of Rs. 10,000 for transfer of excise licence.

The Lokayukta police are conducting raids in several places on the suspicion that the official could possess assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

According to a release, Bettaiah, a resident of K.M. Doddi, runs a wine shop and his brother, S. Nagaraj, filed an application before Krishna Kumar seeking transfer of the existing licence in the name of his mother, Kempamma.

Krishna Kumar allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs. 1 lakh. He allegedly accepted about Rs. 50,000 on three occasions. On Tuesday, the official asked Mr. Nagaraj to give him Rs. 10,000. On a complaint, the Lokayukta police caught the official while he was accepting the amount.

The Lokayukta police have registered a case under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Additional Director General of Police (Lokayukta) R.K. Dutta said raids were being conducted on different premises belonging to Krishna Kumar in and around Mandya. The Lokayukta police have recovered Rs. 50 lakh in cash from the official’s house. Raids were being conducted in Belur where Krishna Kumar’s family members reside, Mr. Dutta told The Hindu.

The Chikkaballapur Lokayukta police on Monday caught Commercial Tax Officer, Chintamani, Dorai, while he was allegedly accepting bribe of Rs. 25,000 for not booking a case against a businessman.

Dorai visited Indian Madras Motors and purchased one litre of oil. When S. Raghavendra, proprietor of the firm, did not issue a receipt, Dorai imposed spot fine of Rs. 2,000 and took away all the account books of the firm with him.

When Mr. Raghavendra went to Dorai’s office he allegedly demanded bribe of Rs. 1 lakh. Dorai then agreed to accept Rs. 25,000.

On a complaint, the Lokayukta police caught Dorai while he was accepting the bribe.