Karnataka Bribe Case: BJP MLA Under Probe As Crores Recovered From Home & Office

Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa has been named as the main accused after cash worth about Rs 8 crore was found at his home and office, and his bureaucrat son was caught red-handed accepting a bribe, NDTV reported quoting officials.

Lokayukta, the state’s ombudsman, recovered Rs 6 crore in cash at Virupakshappa’s residence and around Rs 2 crore from his office after his son Prashanth Madal — chief accountant at Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) — was caught taking a bribe on Thursday. Searches and raids went on till late night.

Channagiri MLA Virupakshappa stepped down as chairman of the state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL), which makes the renowned Mysore Sandal soap.

“There is some conspiracy against my family. I’m submitting resignation under moral responsibility as there is an allegation against me,” Virupakshappa wrote in a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

The MLA is reportedly untraceable and has applied for a pre-arrest bail.

Karnataka Lokayukta officers caught Virupakshappa’s son taking a bribe of Rs 40 lakh bribe at the KSDL office and arrested him on Thursday.

Even as CM Bommai said the ombudsman will conduct an independent and impartial investigation, Congress reiterated its accusation that the state administration has instituted a common rate of kickbacks, dubbing it the “40 per cent” government.

“The loot of #40PercentSarkara continues unabated… caught red-handed taking Rs 40 lakh bribe, Now crores recovered from BJP MLA’s son’s house. Father chairman, son takes money! Cozy Corrupt nexus of BJP!” Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

The corruption incident is a huge embarrassment for BJP ahead of assembly elections in the state which are due in April-May.