**Karnataka Official Arrested for Accepting Bribe of Rs 1.5 Lakh**
A senior official from the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) was apprehended on Friday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh. The accused, Narendra Kumar, 51, who works as a survey supervisor in Bengaluru, was arrested by Lokayukta police following a sting operation.
The investigation was prompted by a complaint from an individual named Ravi, who claimed that Kumar demanded the bribe to “prepare a sketch” and secure its approval. The Lokayukta police have since registered a case and are continuing their investigation into the matter.
This incident follows another high-profile case earlier this year, where Hassan City Municipal Commissioner TN Narasimha Murthy was caught accepting a bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh from a contractor. Alongside him, an engineer named Venkatesh was also arrested. The sting operation was initiated after contractor Sunil Kumar reported that Murthy had solicited the bribe to expedite the clearance of a bill.
In a separate operation in Bengaluru, the Lokayukta also arrested the Office Superintendent of the Karnataka Appellate Tribunal, Hall-5, for accepting a bribe of Rs 60,000. These incidents highlight ongoing efforts by Lokayukta officials to combat corruption within government agencies.
As investigations continue, the implications of these arrests may lead to increased scrutiny of public officials and their practices, reinforcing the commitment to transparency and accountability in governance.
**FAQ**
**What actions are being taken against the arrested officials?**
The Lokayukta police have registered cases against the officials and are conducting further investigations to address the allegations of corruption.