Lokayukta Trap Nets Shirahatti MLA Chandru Lamani And Two Aides

Gadag: The Karnataka Lokayukta Police on Saturday trapped BJP MLA Dr Chandru Lamani and his two aides for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh in connection with a minor irrigation work contract in Gadag district.

The case was registered on the complaint of Class I contractor Vijay Pujar. He alleged that a bribe of Rs 11 lakh was demanded for clearance work related to the construction of retaining walls on both sides of a road under the Minor Irrigation Department.

Around 2.15 pm on Saturday, Lokayukta police caught Dr Chandru Lamani and his close aides Manjunath Valmiki and Gurunaik red-handed while taking Rs 5 lakh from Lamani’s office at Balaji Hospital in Lakshmeshwar town.

The owner of the hospital is Dr Lamani.

Lokayukta sources told Deccan Chronicle that those trapped in the operation included Shirahatti MLA Dr Chandru Lamani and his personal assistants Manjunath Valmiki and Gurunaik (Special PA) and Rs 5 lakh was recovered at the time of the trap.

The operation was carried out by the Gadag unit of the Karnataka Lokayukta Police under the supervision of senior officers. All three suspects were taken to the police and it was learned that the investigation continues.

A case has been registered under Section 7(a) read with Section 7(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Soon after news of the raid on Balaji Hospital in Lakshmeshwar spread on Saturday afternoon, hundreds of BJP workers gathered there and shouted slogans against local Congress leaders.

They alleged that the Lokayukta action against Dr Chandru Lamani was the result of Congress conspiracy.

Dr Chandru Lamani rose from government doctor to MLA for the first time by winning the 2023 elections. According to sources, he had previously faced the Lokayukta complaint while working as a doctor.