New Delhi: Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Maadal Virupakshappa’s son has been arrested by the Lokayukta officers while taking a bribe of ₹ 40 lakh today.
Sources said Prashanth Kumar, was arrested from the office of the state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd (KSDL). This company makes the brand ‘Mysore Sandal Soap’.
Virupakshappa, an MLA from Davangere district’s Channagiri and he is also the chairman of KSDL.
Sources said that at least 3 bags filled with cash were recovered from the KSDL office.
Around Rs 1.7 crore in cash was recovered from his office, said Karnataka Lokayukta.
#UPDATE | Lokayukta officials conduct raid at the residence of Prashanth Maadal in Bengaluru. Around Rs 6 crore in cash recovered, search underway: Karnataka Lokayukta https://t.co/7LthE4h7U3 pic.twitter.com/1TAk22mF6N
— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2023
Prashanth Kumar is a 2008 batch Karnataka Administrative Services officer. He was caught while accepting a bribe from a contractor for awarding a deal to buy raw materials needed for making soap and other detergents.
Reports said that Prashanth allegedly made a demand of Rs 81 lakh from the contractor, following which he approached the Lokayukta. After this a trap was set to catch him red-handed.
Cash worth ₹8 crore has been recovered from the house of a BJP MLA in Karnataka.
His son was caught accepting a bribe of ₹40 lakh.
The fact that the BJP govt. in Karnataka operates on a “40% commission” is well-known, & this discovery is just the tip of the iceberg. pic.twitter.com/ObtQDBgz58
— Congress (@INCIndia) March 3, 2023
The trap was laid at around 6.45 pm. Senior Lokayukta officer said the Chairman of KSDL and the accused, who received money, are father and son.
Virupakshappa’s son is a chief accountant at Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).
Further investigation in this matter is underway, said Officials.
