Karnataka Lokayukta officials apprehended the Deputy Commissioner and two other Excise Department officials in Bengaluru for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 25 lakh to issue a bar license. The accused, who had demanded a total of Rs 80 lakh, were caught red-handed while receiving the initial payment. The arrest followed a complaint by C. Lakshminarayana, who had applied for a bar license (CL-7) with the Excise Department.
The arrested individuals were identified as Jagadeesh Naik, Excise Deputy Commissioner; K.M. Thammanna, Superintendent of Excise; and Lakkappa Gani, Excise Constable, all stationed at the Office of Bangalore Urban District-8. Allegations stated that Naik and Thammanna sought a bribe of Rs 80 lakh to grant the CL-7 license along with a microbrewery license. Lakshminarayana reported the incident to Lokayukta police, leading to a successful trap where the officials were caught accepting Rs 25 lakh. Gani, who was involved in delivering the bribe, was also arrested.
The Lokayukta police are currently investigating the case further. The arrests have caused a stir in the Excise Department, prompting a comprehensive probe to uncover any additional instances of corruption. The accused face charges under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
