Mangaluru: The Karnataka Lokayukta police have arrested a gram panchayat president and a bill collector in Dakshina Kannada for allegedly accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe related to a borewell sanction.
Details of the case
The incident involves the Peruvai Gram Panchayat in Bantwal taluk. The complainant’s 75-year-old uncle, who owns an acre of agricultural land in Peruvai village, had applied for a borewell under the Special Component Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan schemes in 2024. His name was omitted from the beneficiaries’ list that year.
He reapplied in May 2025, but despite multiple visits by the complainant’s wife to the panchayat office, no response was provided. The uncle, being elderly and unwell, requested the complainant to follow up on the matter.
Bribe demand and Lokayukta trap
On September 2, the complainant approached Panchayat President Nafisa, who allegedly demanded Rs 10,000 to be paid to the Bengaluru office to process the sanction. When the complainant said he could not pay, Nafisa reportedly refused service.
On September 4, Nafisa allegedly reiterated her bribe demand. Acting on the complaint, Lokayukta police laid a trap. During the operation, Bill Collector William was caught red-handed accepting Rs 10,000, reportedly on Nafisa’s instructions.
Arrest and investigation
Both Nafisa and William have been taken into custody by Lokayukta officials. A formal case has been registered, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the alleged corruption.