Tumakuru: The Karnataka Lokayukta police have arrested an accounts manager of the District Health and Family Welfare Office in Tumakuru for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹12,000 to clear a pending bill.
The accused, identified as Aravind, was caught red-handed during a trap operation conducted on Thursday evening at the office premises.
Bribe demand to process NGO bill
According to officials, Aravind had allegedly demanded ₹12,000 to process a bill amounting to ₹1.98 lakh submitted by a non-governmental organisation.
The bill pertained to health awareness exhibitions organised under the National Health Mission across fairs and markets in 10 taluks of Tumakuru district during the financial year 2025–26.
The NGO had reportedly completed the work and was awaiting payment clearance when the bribe demand was made.
Complaint leads to trap operation
The NGO president, Rajashekar, refused to comply with the illegal demand and instead approached the Karnataka Lokayukta with a formal complaint.
Based on the complaint, Lokayukta officials planned a trap operation to catch the accused in the act.
Caught red-handed at office
On Thursday at around 4:10 pm, the Lokayukta team laid the trap and apprehended Aravind while he was allegedly accepting the bribe amount from Rajashekar.
The arrest was carried out within the office premises, and the marked currency notes were recovered during the operation.
Officials confirmed that legal proceedings have been initiated against the accused under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Crackdown on corruption
The incident highlights ongoing efforts by the Karnataka Lokayukta to curb corruption in government departments. Authorities have reiterated their appeal to the public to report instances of bribery and malpractice.
Such trap operations have been instrumental in ensuring accountability and deterring corrupt practices in public offices.
Conclusion
The arrest of Aravind serves as a reminder of the strict action being taken against corruption in public service. Officials have urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any illegal demands, reinforcing transparency in governance.