In a major anti-corruption operation, Lokayukta officials caught a residential school principal accepting a bribe at a government-run residential school in Shivamogga district. In a residential school in Hunasekatte village in Bhadravati taluk, the principal asked a parent for money in connection with a student's admission.
According to Lokayukta officials, it was alleged that the accused principal had demanded a bribe of ₹20,000 from a person named Chandrappa for the admission of his child into the 7th standard at the residential school. We found that the principal used the pretext of buying a drum set for the school and required the parent to pay as a fee to get into it.
Chandrappa, who did not want to pay the illegal gratification, approached the Lokayukta authorities and filed a formal complaint for a bribe request. Following the initial check of the complaint and having gathered some preliminary information, officials had a trap operation to catch the accused red-handed while accepting the money.
As part of the operation, Chandrappa agreed to hand over an advance amount of ₹10,000, which was allegedly demanded by the principal as the first instalment of the total bribe amount. Lokayukta officers closely monitored the transaction and conducted a raid at the school premises on the day of the trap.
The operation began in a room of the residential school where the accused principal was caught accepting the marked currency notes. Lokayukta officials intervened and performed the trap procedure according to legal procedure. The tainted cash was recovered from the possession of the accused during the operation.
Officials confirmed the bribe money was seized as evidence and necessary procedures were carried out on the spot. The successful trap once again demonstrates the ability of Karnataka Lokayukta to fight corruption in public institutions and government departments.
The raid was conducted under the leadership of Lokayukta Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) B.P. Chandrashekhar, who supervised the entire operation. A team of Lokayukta officers and staff carried out the raid and completed documentation and investigation formalities.
Following the trap, legal action against the accused was launched under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The incident has led to heated conversations between residents and parents in the area, and many of them are concerned about corruption in education. Government residential schools should be merit-based and accessible to deserving students.
Anti-corruption activists hailed the quick action by the Lokayukta and called for strict action to be taken against public servants who are found guilty of corruption. Citizens should also report bribery and abuse of power to the appropriate institutions.
The case is under investigation, and more information is expected from the authorities as they investigate. Meanwhile, the Lokayukta has said that corruption will always be taken out and accountability will be ensured in public administration.
