In a major anti-corruption operation, Lokayukta officials caught a Village Administrative Officer (VAO) red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 3 lakh at the Nadakacheri in Jangamakote of Shidlaghatta taluk, Chikkaballapur district.
The official, identified as C. Mohan Kumar, had been demanding a huge sum of money from a landowner to complete the khata transfer of a piece of agricultural land. It was ordered upon receiving a complaint on the demand.
Rs 7 Lakh Bribe Allegedly Demanded For Land Khata
The alleged bribe demand was connected to the transfer of khata for 14 guntas of land in Survey No. 298/1 in Hosapete village.
The complainant, Byra Gowda, approached the authorities after Mohan Kumar asked for a large amount to complete the land-related process.
The initial alleged demand was Rs 7 lakh. The amount was then reportedly negotiated and finalised at Rs 6.5 lakh.
Under that arrangement, the complainant was asked to pay an initial amount of Rs 3 lakh.
The complainant then approached the Lokayukta police, following which officials reportedly planned an operation to catch the government official while accepting the money.
Lokayukta officials conducted a raid at Jangamakote Nadakacheri
The Lokayukta operation was carried out at Jangamakote Nadakacheri in Shidlaghatta taluk.
Mohan Kumar was caught while receiving Rs 3 lakh from the complainant during the operation. Lokayukta officials seized the money and took the official into custody for questioning.
The action was taken on the basis of the alleged corruption complaint.
The operation has once again raised questions of bribery in government offices in the land records and revenue-related services area.
Investigation Underway
Following the trap, Lokayukta police took C. Mohan Kumar into their custody and began questioning him.
The officials will investigate the circumstances of the alleged demand, the land transaction, and who participated in the khata transfer process of the accused official.
The money that was supposedly accepted during the operation will be part of the evidence being investigated by investigators.
We expect more details about the case to emerge in the Lokayukta investigation.
Land-Related Services Under Scrutiny
Land khata transfers and other revenue-related procedures are important services for property owners. These procedures can require multiple documents and official verifications, and allegations of illegal payments in connection with these services can cause significant hardship to citizens.
The Lokayukta action at Jangamakote shows the role of anti-corruption agencies when it comes to responding to complaints against public officials.
According to the preliminary information, the alleged demand was linked specifically to the khata process for 14 guntas of land in Survey No. 298/1 in Hosapete village.
The complainant's decision to approach the Lokayukta authorities eventually led to the alleged trap operation.
Now that Mohan Kumar is in Lokayukta custody, investigators will record his statement and look at the evidence collected during the operation. Officials may also verify the documents and communications related to the land-related request.
The case is still under investigation, and the allegations against the government official will have to be established through the legal process.
The incident has attracted Chikkaballapur district's attention, especially in Shidlaghatta taluk where the alleged bribery operation took place.
The Lokayukta police are investigating the full circumstances of the alleged Rs 7 lakh demand and the subsequent agreement to Rs 6.5 lakh.
The official who accepted Rs 3 lakh during the trap was caught red-handed in a case that was a significant development. Further action will be taken based on the evidence gathered by the Lokayukta.
