'Guilty shall be punished,' says Bommai after a BJP MLA's son caught red-handed receiving bribe

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai stated on Friday that the guilty will not be spared, a day after a BJP MLA’s son was caught red-handed collecting a bribe of Rs 40 lakh.

“We are not going to protect anyone,” he stressed.

In an interview with reporters, the chief minister further stated that the Lokayukta will investigate all complaints filed during the Congress’ term in the state. “We reinstalled the Lokayukta office solely to combat corruption,” he explained.

“Let the Lokayukta sleuths investigate the matter without bias. Congress MLAs also faced many allegations during its tenure, but all the cases were hushed up. All those cases would now be investigated,” CM Bommai stated.

Before, as the Lokayukta institution was shut, the cases against Congress leaders were closed without any probe, he said.

Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) Chief Accountant and BJP MLA’s son Prashanth was caught red-handed by the Lokayukta while accepting a bribe of Rs 40 lakh on Thursday.

The development is being seen as a serious setback to the ruling BJP. The incident has come to light at a time when opposition is launching attacks of 40 per cent commission and kickbacks in government tenders.

The ruling BJP is also concerned about Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to state on Friday.

 

(With inputs from IANS)