Lokayukta police on Tuesday trapped a Bescom assistant executive engineer while he was allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 to sanction additional power to a temporary meter. The accused, Manojkumar B, 53, is attached to Bescom's south division. His associate, Kantharaju, an electrical contractor, was also arrested in connection with the case.
Details of the Trap
According to a press note from Lokayukta, Manojkumar had demanded Rs 50,000 to sanction an additional 25kW of power to a meter in a building located at Hegganahalli, west Bengaluru. The building owner, who was being pressured to pay the bribe, approached the Lokayukta police's city wing, leading to the trap being set.
Kantharaju was caught red-handed while receiving the money near the Bescom office. Both individuals have been taken into custody and are facing charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Investigation Ongoing
The Lokayukta police are investigating further to determine if there are other instances of bribery involving the accused. The arrest has sent a strong message against corruption in public utilities, with authorities emphasizing their commitment to clean governance.
This case highlights the vigilance of the Lokayukta in tackling corruption at various levels of government and public sector undertakings. The building owner's cooperation was crucial in the successful operation.
