Mangaluru: The Lokayukta Police in Mangaluru on Monday arrested a Second Division Assistant (SDA) attached to the office of the Assistant Executive Engineer, Electrical Sub-Division, Public Works Department (PWD), on charges of demanding and accepting a bribe for clearing a contractor’s bill.

The accused, identified as Sampath, was allegedly caught red-handed while accepting ₹22,600, which he had demanded as a four per cent commission on the total bill amount for government works executed in Udupi district.

Demand for commission

According to officials, the complainant is a state government-approved Class-I electrical contractor who had carried out works related to the extension of streetlights in several gram panchayat areas of Udupi district during 2025. After completing the work, the contractor submitted his bills to the department for payment.

It is alleged that Sampath, who was working in the office of the Assistant Executive Engineer, demanded four per cent of the total bill amount as illegal gratification to process and clear the payment. The demanded amount reportedly came to ₹22,600.

Unwilling to pay the bribe, the contractor approached the Lokayukta police in Mangaluru and lodged a formal complaint detailing the alleged demand for commission. Based on the complaint, the Lokayukta police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Trap and arrest

Acting swiftly on the complaint, the Lokayukta police organised a trap operation on Monday. The complainant was instructed to hand over the marked currency notes to the accused as per the demand.

During the operation, Sampath was allegedly caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount at his office. The Lokayukta officials immediately intervened and took him into custody. The tainted currency notes were recovered in the presence of witnesses, and mahazar procedures were completed at the spot.

Officials stated that further investigation is underway to ascertain whether similar demands were made in other cases and to examine the financial transactions related to the accused.

Senior officials oversee operation

The operation was carried out under the guidance of Lokayukta Superintendent of Police B.P. Dinesh Kumar. The raid was led by Deputy Superintendent Suresh Kumar P., Dr Gana P. Kumar and Police Inspector Bharathi G.

Inspector Chandrashekhar K.N. and staff members Rajappa, Mahesh, Adarsh, Ram Nayak, Ganganna, Mahadev, Pavithra, Lakshmi, Ravi Pawar and Naveen were part of the trap team that executed the operation.

The Lokayukta police stated that the action was part of ongoing efforts to curb corruption in government departments and ensure transparency in public works. Officials reiterated that strict action would be taken against public servants found indulging in corrupt practices.

Public works under scrutiny

The case has once again brought focus on alleged irregularities in the processing of bills related to public infrastructure projects. Extension of streetlights in rural gram panchayat areas is often undertaken to improve safety and connectivity, particularly in semi-urban and rural belts.

Delays in bill clearance and alleged demands for commission have been recurring complaints among contractors engaged in government works. Lokayukta officials have urged contractors and members of the public to report instances of bribery or misuse of official position.

Authorities said Sampath will be produced before the competent court, and further legal proceedings will follow as per law.

The Lokayukta police have emphasised that such trap operations will continue across districts to deter corruption and restore public confidence in the functioning of government offices.

With the arrest, officials hope to send a strong message that demands for illegal commission, even in relatively small amounts such as ₹22,600, will not be tolerated, and that every complaint will be examined with seriousness.

Conclusion

The arrest underscores the vigilance of the Lokayukta police in acting on complaints from citizens and contractors. As the investigation progresses, the department is expected to examine procedural lapses and reinforce accountability mechanisms within the Public Works Department to prevent similar incidents in the future.