A video of a Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) accepting a bribe through a digital payment went viral in Hassan district, Karnataka. The incident took place in Belavadi village of Arakalagudu taluk, where allegations have been made against Belavadi Gram Panchayat PDO Santosh.
Santosh allegedly demanded money from Doresh in connection with a development work, and the demand was said to be ₹24,000.
The controversy has gained traction after a video purported to show the PDO accepting ₹6,000 was circulated. It also claimed that the rest of the money was transferred using PhonePe, which would make the reported payment ₹24,000.
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What’s the video of the alleged bribe payment that went viral?
This video is alleged to show the purported exchange with the PDO and has spread on social media. It has raised questions about the alleged corruption in the local panchayat.
However, the authenticity and full context of the video and the allegations would need to be established through an official investigation. The allegations against the officials should not be treated as proven until competent authorities complete their inquiry.
According to the complaint, Doresh approached the authorities after being requested to pay money for work related to a development project.
Engineer also named in allegation
The complaint also names an engineer named Pavithra. She is alleged to have accepted ₹10,000 in connection with the same matter.
Both officials have been accused of seeking money for the official work.
The reported use of a digital payment platform such as PhonePe has particularly attracted attention because digital transactions can potentially leave an electronic record. Whether such records exist and whether they are connected to the alleged transaction would be a matter for investigators to establish.
Complaint submitted to Zilla Panchayat CEO
After the incident, Doresh has filed a complaint with Hassan Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Shubham Shukla and asked for action following the allegations.
The complaint would be a detailed description of the alleged demand, the payments, and the officials mentioned in the complaint.
Authorities may investigate the viral video, payment records, relevant documents, and statements from the people involved as part of any inquiry into the allegations.
Controversy over "honourably give" remark
The incident has also attracted political and public attention after a comment attributed to Hassan district in-charge minister K.M. Shivalingegowda, in which a statement about people “honourably giving” money reportedly emerged in the wider controversy.
The timing of the viral video has caused discussion on social media, but the context and meaning of any such comments would need to be taken into account separately from the allegations against the Panchayat officials.
We have once again seen complaints regarding demands for money in connection with government and local-body services.
Investigation likely to establish facts
The allegations against PDO Santosh and engineer Pavithra at present remain allegations. An official inquiry would have to be conducted into whether money was actually demanded or accepted illegally, the purpose of the alleged payments, and whether any official rules were broken.
Investigators can also verify the alleged ₹24,000 PhonePe transaction, the reported ₹6,000 cash payment shown in the video, and the alleged ₹10,000 payment of the engineer.
The viral video has put the Belavadi Gram Panchayat matter under the spotlight, and the complaint to the Zilla Panchayat CEO is expected to provide the basis for further examination.
Further actions will depend on the authorities’ findings and any evidence gathered during the investigation. But until an official finding is made, the allegations should be taken as claims in the complaint.
