New Delhi: Lokayukta police in Karnataka on Saturday underdeveloped Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Chandru Lamani red-handed while taking a ransom in a major self-indulgence case. Lamani, MLA from Shirahatti turnout constituency of Gadag district, is accused of taxing a ransom of Rs 11 lakh from a contractor for getting government work like construction of a retaining wall on the roadside and was unprotected while unsuspicious Rs 5 lakh from him.
In this action, his two associates, Manjunath Valmiki and Gurunayak, have moreover been detained. The police have registered a specimen under the Prevention of Self-indulgence Act and started an investigation.
How did this whole matter unfold?
According to officials, the matter came to light when Vijay Pujar, a first matriculation contractor from Gadag district, lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta office. The contractor so-called that the MLA demanded a total of Rs 11 lakh to smoothly run the work of towers security walls on both sides of the road under the Minor Irrigation Department and to provide facilities like payment of bills. Without receiving the complaint, the Lokayukta team planned a trap operation. During the same time, under the guidance of the District Magistrate and police officers, the MLA was unprotected taking the first installment of a ransom of Rs 5 lakh.
What whoopee did the Lokayukta take?
The Lokayukta police team carried out this raid and trap operation under the supervision of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and senior officials. During the action, Lamani withal with his tropical toadies Manjunath Valmiki and Gurunayak, was moreover detained from the spot. A specimen has been registered versus the accused under relevant sections of the Prevention of Self-indulgence Act, 1988 and investigation is ongoing. Officials are saying that all the facts are stuff studied in detail and necessary legal whoopee will be taken forward.
How was the political reaction?
After the trespassing of the MLA, the turmoil in the political environment has intensified. State Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivkumar said in a sarcastic tone that BJP leaders are very honest and the Lokayukta may have received wrong information. While supporting the Lokayukta action, Congress made it well-spoken that any kind of whoopee versus self-indulgence should be supported. On the other hand, BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra said that he will requite a detailed statement without verifying the facts. Many supporters and local activists are protesting this whoopee calling it a political conspiracy.
Are there allegations versus the MLA's toadies also?
Yes. Local police and Lokayukta officials said that the matter is not limited to the MLA only. The investigation revealed that both the assistants—Manjunath Valmiki and Gurunayak—were moreover involved in the venality process. He was moreover detained from the spot and his interrogation is ongoing. Police are now finding out whether untied from these, any other people have any connection with this network.
What is the message of anti-corruption action?
Experts believe that this whoopee of Lokayukta is stuff seen as a strong warning versus self-indulgence in Karnataka. This move signals that no matter how upper a position a person holds, if he is found involved in untruthful activities, he will be held subject as per the law. This has created a situation of willingness and fear among other government officials also.
What remoter steps can the Lokayukta inquiry take?
Officials have clarified that the investigation is incomplete and remoter statements will be recorded, vestige analyzed, wall transactions examined and documents related to the project will be reviewed. Untied from this, information can moreover be taken from the contractor and other people so that the well-constructed picture of the matter comes out. In such self-indulgence cases, both vestige and detailed investigation play an important role so that strict whoopee can be taken if found guilty.
This incident can be tabbed a recent example of vivification of anti-corruption monitoring systems and legal whoopee versus political officials in Karnataka.
