Bantwal: Two staff members at the Bantwal Taluk Treasury Office near B.C. Road were caught red-handed by Lokayukta police on Tuesday while accepting a bribe of ₹5,000 from a widow seeking her late husband’s retirement benefits.
The arrested officials include Bhaskar, the Chief Accountant, and Basave Gowda, a First Division Assistant (FDA). The duo allegedly demanded money from a woman whose husband had worked as a secretary at a gram panchayat in Bantwal Taluk. He had retired in October 2023 and passed away in June 2024, making her eligible for death gratuity benefits.
Despite multiple visits to the treasury office, her request for gratuity processing was delayed. During her follow-ups, she was reportedly asked to pay a bribe of ₹5,000 to expedite the paperwork. Unwilling to comply, the woman lodged a complaint with the Mangaluru Lokayukta police.
Acting on the tip-off, Lokayukta officers laid a trap and arrested both officials while they were accepting the bribe. The operation was executed by a team led by Lokayukta SP Kumarachandra and Deputy SP Dr Gana P. Kumar.
Gratuity withheld despite legitimate claim
The complainant had approached the treasury office with all required documents but was repeatedly stalled. Her husband, as a retired government servant, was entitled to gratuity and other retirement benefits. Treasury staff allegedly ignored due procedure and instead demanded payment to move the file.
The Lokayukta’s prompt action has been widely appreciated and highlights the continued challenge of corruption in government offices handling pensions and gratuities for retired employees and their families.
Both accused are expected to face charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and further investigation is underway.