Shivamogga: A team of sleuths of Lokayukta led by Lokayukta DySP BP Chandrashekhar caught district Fire officer B R Ashok Kumar red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh for the issuance of No Objection Cert…

Shivamogga: A team of sleuths of Lokayukta led by Lokayukta DySP BP Chandrashekhar caught district Fire officer B R Ashok Kumar red-handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh for the issuance of No Objection Certificate to a school building on Thursday.Anoop, a resident of Shikaripura, had applied for an NOC from the Fire & Emergency Services Department six months ago for a pre-school building named ‘Nandagokula,’ which he had constructed at Channakeshava Nagar in Shikaripura town, and equipped with fire safety systems.Bengaluru official caught red-handed taking Rs 20,000 to process pension workAlthough Anoop had submitted the required documents, the officer allegedly delayed issuing the clearance and demanded a bribe of Rs 3 lakh. When Anoop expressed his inability to pay that amount, the officer reportedly agreed to accept Rs 1 lakh. Consequently, Anoop lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta police.Acting on tip-off, a team led by Lokayukta DySP BP Chandrashekhar and Inspectors Veerabasappa and Rudresha conducted a raid at the Shivamogga fire station while Ashok Kumar was accepting the bribe money from Anoop. Ashok Kumar was caught red-handed with the cash. The operation was carried out under the guidance of Lokayukta SP Anthony John. The accused has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.

Source: Deccan Herald