Lokayukta arrest PDO, data entry operator in bribery case

The Lokayukta police apprehended two Village Panchayat Development Officers (VPDO) and a data entry operator who were allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 for e-property-related services.

The incident unfolded in Kechchenahalli Village, Jagaluru Taluk, and the accused were identified as S.M. Nandilingesh Saranga Math (35), PDO of Kechchenahalli Village Panchayat, and Ajjaiah (32), the data entry operator.

The case revolved around a resident of Nituvalli, Davangere, who originally hails from Kelgote village in Jagaluru Taluk. The individual, named Basavanagowda, had submitted an application to the Kechchenahalli Gram Panchayat for the creation of an e-property account related to his house in Kelgote village. Allegedly, the PDO, Nandilingesh Saranga math, demanded a bribe of Rs 10,000 to initiate the e-account process, and Basavanagowda was instructed to make the payment.

However, Basavanagowda decided to file a complaint with the Lokayukta. Following this complaint, Lokayukta Superintendent of Police, M.S. Kaulapure, supervised a sting operation. Basavanagowda was then observed handing over the alleged bribe of Rs 10,000 at the village panchayat office. In the wake of this exchange, both Nandilingesh Sarangmath and Ajjaiah were apprehended by the Lokayukta police.