Two officials trapped while taking bribe

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) sleuths on Saturday trapped Challakere taluk panchayat executive officer and Doddavullarti gram panchayat development officer (PDO) in Challakere taluk of Chitradurga district for receiving a bribe to complete official work.

Basavaraju, the Doddavullarti village PDO, was trapped while receiving Rs 15,000 from the complainant, a contractor in Chitradurga district. Prakash, the Challakere taluk panchayat executive officer, had directed Basavaraju to receive the money from the contractor, said the police.

The contractor had bagged the tender to instal hoardings about civil works in the district. He completed the work and submitted bills to Prakash for clearance. Prakash demanded Rs 35,000 bribe to clear the bills.

The contractor paid Rs 20,000 to Prakash on August 29, 2016. However, Prakash clarified that he would clear the bills only after he received the remaining Rs 15,000, said the police.

The contractor was not willing to pay the remaining amount. Hence, he lodged a complaint with the ACB. Both the officials were booked under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.