Two get four years RI in bribery case

The Principal District and Sessions Special Court has sentenced a retired Executive Officer of the Kalaburagi Taluk Panchayat and a Second Division Assistant to four years rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹20,000 each on them in a bribery case.

The convicts have been identified as Ashok Reddy, retired Executive Officer, and Nijaligappa Pandit, Second Division Assistant.

According to the prosecution, Panchayat Development Officer Sharangouda Kavital of Kinnisadak Gram Panchayat was transferred to Hullur Gram Panchayat in Jewargi taluk. The accused allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹15,000 to forward his service book and last pay certificate.

Following a complaint lodged by Mr. Kavital, Lokayukta Police caught Pandit while he was accepting the bribe amount. Subsequently, investigation was carried out and a charge-sheet filed by Lokayukta Inspector K.S. Kalladevaru.

Judge G.L. Lakshminarayana of the Principal District and Sessions Special Court found the accused guilty of both demanding and accepting bribe and convicted them under Section 7(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Special Public Prosecutor Ashok S. Chandakavath appeared for the State.