Second Police Officer Arrested in Karnataka Bribery Scandal Within Two Days
In a significant crackdown on police corruption, the Karnataka Lokayukta has arrested a police sub-inspector (PSI) from Tumakuru district for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000. This arrest comes just one day after a Bengaluru police inspector was caught in a separate bribery case, highlighting ongoing issues within the state's law enforcement agencies.
Details of the Tumakuru PSI Arrest
The arrested officer has been identified as Chetan Kumar S S, who served as a PSI at the Tumakuru rural police station. According to official reports, Kumar was apprehended red-handed while accepting the bribe from a complainant named Nagesh, a resident of Nagadevanahalli in Bengaluru.
The incident began when Nagesh visited Tumakuru and parked his car on the roadside. Upon returning, he discovered his vehicle had been towed away. When he inquired about the seizure, police allegedly accused him of carrying narcotic substances, which Nagesh vehemently denied. No formal case was registered against him, but his vehicle remained impounded.
As Nagesh sought to recover his vehicle through legal channels with his lawyer, Kumar reportedly demanded a bribe of Rs 5 lakh for its release. In response, Nagesh filed a complaint with the Lokayukta police, leading to a sting operation. On Friday, Kumar was caught while accepting an initial payment of Rs 40,000 as part of the alleged bribe.
Government Response and Disciplinary Action
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, who hails from Tumakuru, addressed the issue on Saturday, emphasizing that disciplinary action would be initiated against those involved in illegal activities. He stated, "During the police review meeting, the chief minister had clearly warned of dire consequences if they indulged in illegal activities, including bribery. We will take action against them." This statement underscores the government's commitment to tackling corruption within the police force.
Context of Previous Arrest in Bengaluru
This arrest follows a similar case on Thursday, where Govindaraju, a police inspector at the KP Agrahara police station in Bengaluru, was allegedly caught red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 4 lakh from a builder. The builder, Mohammed Akbar, was named as an accused in a cheating case, and Govindaraju had reportedly offered to drop his name from the case in exchange for Rs 5 lakh. Akbar filed a complaint with the Lokayukta, leading to Govindaraju's arrest.
The back-to-back arrests within two days signal a proactive stance by the Lokayukta in addressing bribery and corruption allegations against police personnel. These incidents have sparked public concern and calls for stricter oversight and accountability measures in law enforcement operations across Karnataka.
