Belthangady: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Karnataka government to probe alleged criminal activities within the Dharmasthala police station limits is expected to operate from Belthangady itself, according to sources. Preparations are reportedly underway for the team’s operations.

The SIT will be housed in the newly constructed police residential quarters adjacent to the Belthangady police station. Though the building has not yet been officially inaugurated, it has been deemed suitable due to its ample space and close proximity to the police station, offering both convenience and security for investigation purposes. The SIT office is likely to commence operations today (July 25).

While an SIT office was earlier proposed in Mangaluru, the 75 km distance from Dharmasthala was considered a hindrance to the pace and efficiency of the investigation. This led to the decision to centralize the SIT’s functioning in Belthangady.

The Karnataka government had constituted the SIT on July 19 under the leadership of Director General of Police (Internal Security Division), Pranav Mohanty. Other key members include DIG (Recruitment Division) M.N. Anucheth, DCP (CAR Central) Soumya Latha, and SP (Internal Security Division) Jitendra Kumar Dayama.

State Police Chief Dr. M.A. Saleem has also issued orders to provide additional officers and support staff to assist the SIT in its investigation.

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Bengaluru (PTI): BJP MLA Dr Chandru Lamani, caught allegedly accepting a Rs 5 lakh bribe from a contractor, has been remanded to judicial custody until March 3.

The Shirahatti MLA, a doctor, was brought from Gadag to Bengaluru on Saturday night and produced before a Special Court for Public Representatives, sources said.

The court remanded him to custody until March 3.

The MLA was caught in a Lokayukta trap following a complaint by Vijay Pujar, a Class-1 contractor from Chinchali in Gadag district.

Lokayukta officials said the alleged bribe was linked to Minor Irrigation Department works, including the construction of retaining walls along a road. The accused had demanded Rs 11 lakh from the complainant to execute the project, and Rs 5 lakh was accepted during the trap.

Along with Lamani, his personal assistants, Manjunath Valmiki and Guru Naik, were also arrested in connection with the case.