DAVANAGERE
Anti-corruption officials launched a surprise raid on the Davangere Municipal Corporation’s Zone 1 office. The operation, led by DySP Kalavati and CPI Gurubasavaraj, followed serious complaints that local officials were allegedly extorting excessive money from the public. The team of eight officials arrived in two vehicles at the Rajiv Gandhi Layout office, where they immediately began questioning every employee present.
Investigators focused on property transfer records and pending files, looking for signs of illegal delays. The atmosphere grew tense as Lokayukta officials scrutinized the personal bank transactions of the staff. Several employees were reprimanded when they failed to explain bank activities that did not align with their official salaries. Reports indicate that many staff members were questioned about high monthly loan payments and bank balances that far exceeded their monthly pay.
The Zone Commissioner was also grilled as investigators sought to determine how widespread the bribery culture had become. This bold move comes as part of a wider crackdown on corruption across the state. In a separate incident in Bagalkot, Lokayukta police successfully trapped a Sub-Inspector and a constable. PSI Bhimappa Rabakavi and Constable Santosh Biradara were caught red-handed accepting a bribe of 1.70 lakh rupees. They had allegedly threatened a local resident with false gambling charges to extort cash. Both officers were arrested after the victim reported the harassment. These back-to-back operations send a clear warning to public servants that dishonest behavior will face strict legal consequences in Karnataka.