Last Updated:
BJP MLA Chandru Lamani was caught by Gadag Lokayukta police accepting Rs 5 lakh bribe from contractor Vijay Pujar for Minor Irrigation Department works.
As per the officials, MLA Chandru Lamani demanded Rs 11 Lakh. (Photo: ANI)
BJP MLA Chandru Lamani was apprehended by the Lokayukta police on Saturday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh. The Gadag Lokayukta police had set a trap following a complaint from a contractor.
In a statement, officials reported, “Today, a successful trap was laid by the Gadag Lokayukta police station. The accused public servant was caught while accepting Rs 5 lakh.” A case has been registered under Section 7(a) read with 7(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Karnataka Lokayuktha says – Karnataka Lokayuktha raided a hospital belonging to BJP MLA Chandru Lamani and caught him receiving Rs 5 lakhs cash along with his two PAs and PS by a class one contractor. They have been secured and an investigation is in progress.(Pics: Karnataka… pic.twitter.com/6THFYaZCH2
— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2026
The complainant, Vijay Pujar, is a Class-I contractor from Chinchali, in the district. The alleged bribe was related to projects under the Minor Irrigation Department, including the construction of retaining walls along a road.
“The accused had demanded Rs 11 lakh from the complainant to execute the work. During the trap, Rs 5 lakh was accepted,” officials said.
In addition to the MLA, who represents the Shirahatti Assembly constituency, his personal assistants, Manjunath Valmiki and Guru Naik, were also detained in connection with the case.
“Accused 1, 2 and 3 have been secured, and the investigation is in progress,” the Lokayukta stated.
“The MLA has been caught by the Lokayukta, what does the BJP have to say now? It’s very easy to make accusations of corruption against others. But now their own MLA has been caught. Let Lokayukta do its investigation, there will be no hindrance in the process.”
“The BJP, which easily levels bribery allegations against leaders of other parties, now finds its own MLA caught in a bribery case.”
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar reacted with sarcasm on the alleged bribery case and said, “Normally they (BJP) are the most honest people in this country, they are not corrupt people. I think some wrong information you might have got. Let us see what Lokayukta tells, then I will reply.”
February 21, 2026, 18:52 IST
Read More
Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: