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Bantwal: In a major crackdown by the Lokayukta, Bhaskar, Chief Accountant of the Bantwal Taluk Treasury, and Basavegowda B.N., an FDA (First Division Assistant), were caught red-handed while accepting a bribe in connection with a death benefit claim.

The incident took place on Wednesday, May 14, when the accused allegedly accepted a bribe of ₹5,000 from the complainant. Lokayukta police apprehended both officials during the act and have taken them into custody for further investigation.

The complainant’s husband had served as a secretary in a gram panchayat in Bantwal taluk and retired in October 2023. He passed away in June 2024. When the complainant approached the treasury office regarding the death benefit payment, officials Bhaskar and Basavegowda allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹10,000. Following this, a complaint was lodged with the Mangaluru Lokayukta Police Station.

A case has now been registered against both officials under the Prevention of Corruption Act and for violations of service conduct rules. Lokayukta sources confirmed that a detailed investigation is underway with material evidence of the bribe.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of Kumarachandra, Superintendent of Police, Karnataka Lokayukta Mangaluru Division. The team included Dr. Gana P. Kumar (Deputy Superintendent of Police), Suresh Kumar P, Inspectors Bharathi G, Chandrashekar K.N., and other staff from the Mangaluru Lokayukta Police Station.