Lokayukta arrests Hassan Municipal Commissioner, Bengaluru official in bribery cases
Bengaluru, Jan 9: Hassan City Municipal Commissioner T N Narasimha Murthy was caught red-handed by Lokayukta officials while accepting a bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh from a contractor on Thursday.
Along with Murthy, engineer Venkatesh was also arrested.
According to the Lokayukta, the trap was laid following a complaint by contractor Sunil Kumar.
The Commissioner had allegedly demanded the Rs 1.5 lakh bribe for clearing a bill.
As soon as Murthy accepted the money, Lokayukta officials apprehended him.
"The accused persons have been secured, and the bribe amount has been recovered. The investigation is ongoing," the Lokayukta said in a statement.
In a similar action in Bengaluru, the Lokayukta team arrested Suresh, the Office Superintendent of Karnataka Appellate Tribunal, Hall-5, for taking a bribe of Rs 60,000 on Thursday.
Complainant Basavaraju Nadikeshwara Matha from Sirsi in Uttara Kannada district alleged that Suresh had demanded the bribe to secure a stay on an order issued by the Court of Additional Registrar of Cooperative Societies in Hubballi.
"The accused was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe money, and an investigation is ongoing," the Lokayukta added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Minister Parameshwara says remarks on properties linked to drug peddlers 'misunderstood'
Tumakuru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said his recent remarks on the demolition of properties linked to those involved in narcotics trade were "misunderstood and misinterpreted".
His clarification follows remarks made two days ago on the government's uncompromising crackdown on the drug menace, including action against properties linked to foreign nationals allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
"It is unfortunate. It is taken in the wrong sense. I didn't mean that tomorrow itself I am going to send bulldozers and demolish the houses. That was not my intention. It was wrongly taken," he told reporters here.
Responding to Congress MLC K Abdul Jabbar's question in the legislative council on the growing drug menace in Bengaluru, Davangere and coastal districts, the minister on Thursday detailed the extensive enforcement measures initiated since the Congress government assumed office.
Pointing to the involvement of some foreign nationals, the minister had said, "Many foreign students from African countries have come to Karnataka. They are into the drug business. We catch them and register cases against them, but they want the case to be registered because once the case is registered, we cannot deport them."
"We have gone to the extent of demolishing the rented building where they stay," he had said.
