Police dictated my affidavit: Sampangi

The Special Lokayukta Court on Wednesday heard the statement of Kolar Gold Fields MLA Y Sampangi, who is facing trial in a bribery case. 

The examination of witnesses has come to a close in the case and Sampangi himself gave a statement, while answering 184 questions posed by the Court.

Giving his account of the trap that led to his arrest and trial, Sampangi said about 10 people barged into his room and the police smeared the coloured powder on his palms. He said they kept the money on the table and forced him to take it. 

Sampangi further stated that the affidavit he gave was under  duress and that the police dictated what he should be writing. 

He also said the complainant Farooq was carrying a firearm. Sampangi was trapped by the Lokayukta police in January 2009 for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs five lakh from a businessman, H M Farooq at the Legislator’s Home. A complaint against Sampangi had been registered by Farooq following which the Lokayukta trapped the MLA. 

He was later booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Charges were framed  last  year and if convicted, Sampangi may face a seven-year jail term. 

The matter has been adjourned to May 21.