Gadag, Karnataka — Lokayukta police arrested BJP MLA Chandru Lamani on Saturday after catching him red-handed accepting a Rs 5 lakh bribe from a contractor. The trap targeted alleged demands for payments to clear minor irrigation department projects, including retaining wall construction along a road.

Officials from the Gadag Lokayukta police station laid the trap following a complaint by Vijay Pujar, a Class-I contractor from Chinchali in the district. Lamani had demanded Rs 11 lakh total to execute the work, according to Lokayukta sources. Police recovered Rs 5 lakh during the operation.

A case was registered under Section 7(a) read with Section 7(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Lamani’s personal assistants, Manjunath Valmiki and Guru Naik, were also secured. The three accused underwent medical examination at a government hospital before being scheduled for production in Bengaluru’s Special Court for Public Representatives.

“Today, a successful trap was laid by the Gadag Lokayukta police station. The accused public servant was caught while accepting Rs 5 lakh,” officials said in a statement. Investigation continues, the Lokayukta added.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reacted swiftly, targeting BJP leaders. “Lamani has been caught by the Lokayukta. What will the BJP leaders say now? They must respond, shouldn’t they?” he said. Siddaramaiah noted it was easy for BJP to accuse others of corruption, but now one of their own MLAs faced charges. He pledged no interference in the probe. “Let the Lokayukta conduct the investigation. Whatever investigation the Lokayukta is carrying out, let it proceed,” he added.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar joined in with sarcasm. “BJP leaders are very honest. They are corruption-free in this country,” he remarked. “The Lokayukta might have received some wrong information.” Shivakumar said he would comment further after the probe advances.

Opposition figures responded cautiously. Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, said he lacked details but insisted his party does not tolerate bribery. State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra promised a response after checking facts.

Lamani’s supporters protested the arrest outside the Lokayukta office. They alleged a conspiracy by state Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil and the Congress government, chanting slogans against the ruling party.

A doctor by training, Lamani served as health officer at Shirahatti Taluk Hospital. He resigned in August 2021 to open his own facility. Running on a BJP ticket, he won the Shirahatti Assembly seat in the 2023 elections.