In a major crackdown on corruption, officials from the Karnataka Lokayukta in Mangaluru have filed a bribery case against Gajendra V Edake, an assistant controller with the legal metrology department.
As per a press note released by the Lokayukta office in Dakshina Kannada, the incident occurred on May 30 around 11:15 a.m. Gajendra, accompanied by Praveen Naik — the owner of Prashanth Oil Industries, Kotekani — arrived at the Mangaluru Lokayukta police station. They approached a police inspector, who is also the complainant in the case, under the pretext of sharing certain information.
During the conversation, Gajendra allegedly made a startling request — he asked the inspector not to file any complaints, carry out checks, or initiate inquiries against him or his department through the Lokayukta. In exchange, he reportedly offered a recurring bribe of ₹25,000 every quarter to the Lokayukta police station.
This offer was treated as an illegal inducement, prompting immediate action. Gajendra was arrested on the same day for attempting to bribe a government official. He is now facing legal proceedings as the matter is under detailed investigation.
The sting operation was executed under the leadership of Superintendent of Police (in-charge) Kumarachandra. The investigative efforts were steered by Dr Gana P Kumar and Suresh Kumar P, deputy superintendents of police, with inspectors Bharathi G, Chandrashekar K N, and their team assisting in the operation.
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