Kundapur: The Lokayukta police arrested a village accountant (VA) attached to the Kundapur taluk office on Thursday evening for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 to issue a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the construction of a homestay in Kandlur.
The arrested official has been identified as Harish S. He was apprehended while on duty at his office following a complaint by Suresh Naik, who alleged that the official had demanded money to issue the required certificate.
According to the complaint, Harish allegedly instructed Naik to transfer the amount through Google Pay. After the complainant transferred the money, the Lokayukta police verified the transaction records and an audio recording of the telephone conversation in which the alleged bribe demand was made.
Based on the complaint and the supporting material, the Lokayukta police registered a case and initiated an investigation before carrying out the arrest.
Bribe allegedly sought for homestay NOC
The case relates to an application for a no-objection certificate required for the construction of a homestay in Kandlur. According to the complaint, the village accountant allegedly demanded Rs 5,000 to facilitate the issuance of the certificate.
The complainant was reportedly instructed to transfer the money through Google Pay rather than pay it in cash. Naik subsequently transferred the amount as allegedly directed by the official.
The digital payment transaction and the recorded telephone conversation became important elements in the complaint. The Lokayukta police reportedly verified these records before proceeding with the arrest.
The incident has once again brought attention to allegations of bribery in the delivery of government services, particularly when citizens seek certificates and other documents from local administrative offices.
No-objection certificates and related approvals can form part of the procedures involved in construction and other property-related activities. Allegations that officials demand payments beyond prescribed government fees can create additional financial burdens for applicants and undermine confidence in public administration.
The case will now proceed through the legal process, during which the allegations and the evidence collected by the investigating agency will be examined.
Lokayukta team conducts operation
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Lokayukta Mangaluru division superintendent of police B P Dinesh Kumar and Udupi deputy superintendent of police Halamurthy Rao.
Lokayukta police inspectors Manjunath and Rajendra Naik led the operation, assisted by staff members Raghavendra, Nagaraj, Arun, Abdul Jalal, Ravindra, Adarsh, Raghavendra Hoskote and Suraj.
The team acted on the complaint and examined the available supporting material, including the digital payment record and the audio recording of the conversation in which the alleged bribe was demanded.
The arrest was carried out at the Kundapur taluk office while Harish was on duty.
The Lokayukta police investigate complaints relating to alleged corruption and misuse of official positions by public servants. Complaints supported by transaction records, recordings and other evidence can assist investigators in examining the circumstances surrounding alleged illegal payments.
In this case, the police action followed the complainant’s allegations and the reported verification of the available records.
Investigation to establish the facts
The arrest marks a step in the investigation into the alleged demand for money in connection with the homestay NOC. The police will examine the circumstances of the transaction and the other evidence relevant to the complaint.
The allegations against the official have not been established in court, and the legal process will determine responsibility based on the evidence.
The case also highlights the importance of transparent procedures for issuing government certificates and ensuring that applicants are not subjected to demands for unauthorised payments.
Citizens who encounter suspected corruption can approach the appropriate authorities to report their complaints. Investigations based on verifiable evidence are important in ensuring accountability while protecting the principles of due process.
The Lokayukta operation in Kundapur is part of the ongoing scrutiny of alleged corruption in public offices. Further developments in the case will depend on the findings of the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.