Prashanth Madal was caught taking bribes from a contractor the day before.
Bangalore:
An astonishing mountain of cash worth about Rs 6 billion was found after searching the home of an official, the son of a Karnataka BJP MLA caught taking bribes a day ago, officials say on Friday, in a huge embarrassment for the party trying to woo voters for elections later this year.
The anti-corruption wing of Lokayukta – the state inspector – raided the house of Prashanth Madal, son of BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa and found a huge pile of cash. The search went on until late at night.
Madal Virupakshappa, MLA from Channagiri in Davanagere district, is the chairman of the state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd (KSDL), the famous Sandal Mysore Soap maker. His son is chief accountant at Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).
On Thursday, officers Karnataka Lokayukta caught his son Virupakshappa at the KSDL office while accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000 and getting arrested. Officials said at least three bags of cash worth Rs 1.75 crore were found at the office and the money was also seized.
“The anti-corruption branch of Lokayukta yesterday arrested Prashanth Madal, son of BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa while accepting a bribe of Rs 400,000. Over Rs 1.7 million in cash was recovered from his office. ta,” said Karnataka Lokayukta.
The inspector said they received a complaint about Prashanth Madal, a Karnataka Administrative Services employee in the 2008 batch, demanding a payment of Rs 81 lakh from a contractor for a deal on raw materials needed. required for the manufacture of soaps and other detergents.
Minister Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai said the inspector would conduct an independent investigation. He also attacked the opposition Congress.
“We re-established Lokayukta to curb corruption. During the Parliamentary regime, with Lokayukta being dissolved, a lot of cases were closed. We will investigate those cases that were closed. Lokayukta is It’s an independent organization and our position is very clear. It will investigate independently and we will not interfere with it,” he said.
BJP Karnataka’s efforts to win another term, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party chief JP Nadda regularly visit the state and make lavish announcements , was countered by allegations of corruption in the state government.
The opposition has accused Mr. Bommai’s administration of setting a common kickback rate and has called it a “40 per cent” government.
“Robbery from #40PercentSarkara continues unabated…caught red-handed taking bribe of Rs 400,000, Now Rs 1 million has been recovered from BJP MLA’s son’s house. Chairman’s father, son. BJP’s cozy corrupt relationship!” Parliament leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said.
