The Karnataka Lokayukta police have arrested a public prosecutor in Bengaluru on charges of accepting a bribe of ₹5,000. The arrest was made following a complaint that the prosecutor demanded the money to favor an accused in a pending case.
Details of the Incident
According to officials, the accused prosecutor, identified as Ravi Kumar, was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount at his office. The complainant had approached the Lokayukta police alleging that Kumar had demanded ₹5,000 to ensure a favorable outcome in a criminal case pending before a local court.
Operation and Arrest
The Lokayukta police set up a trap after verifying the complaint. They provided the complainant with marked currency notes and instructed him to hand over the money to the prosecutor. As soon as the money was accepted, the police team swooped in and arrested Kumar. The marked notes were recovered from his possession.
Legal Action
Kumar has been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He was produced before a special court and remanded to judicial custody. The Lokayukta police are conducting further investigations to determine if there are other instances of bribery involving the prosecutor.
Reaction from Authorities
Lokayukta Superintendent of Police B.N. Ramesh said that the arrest sends a strong message that corruption in the judiciary will not be tolerated. We are committed to cleaning up the system and ensuring that public officials uphold their duties with integrity, he added. The case has sparked discussions about the prevalence of corruption within the legal system in Karnataka.
Impact on the Legal Community
The incident has raised concerns among legal professionals about the ethical standards of some prosecutors. Advocates have called for stricter vigilance and accountability mechanisms to prevent such incidents. The Bar Council of Karnataka has announced that it will review the matter and take appropriate action against the arrested prosecutor.
