Bribery to tender scam: Karnataka BJP MLA sent to 5-day Lokayukta police custody

Bengaluru (IANS) | A special court on Tuesday remanded Karnataka BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa, arrested for taking bribe in a tender scam, to five-day Lokayukta police custody for further investigation. The order was given by Judge B Jayanth Kumar of the Special Court of People’s Representatives. Virupakshappa will be questioned by Lokayukta officials in a corruption case in which he is the main accused.

The Lokayukta’s counsel sought 10 days’ custody for investigation, but the MLA’s counsel requested bail as he has joined the investigation several times and is facing health issues.

Virupakshappa was arrested on Monday evening after the Karnataka High Court rejected his bail plea. When he went missing after his bail was rejected, he was chased by the Lokayukta officials and arrested after locating him near Tumakuru town.

The development is being considered as a major setback for the ruling BJP government ahead of the assembly elections. Virupakshappa was on the run for five days and the Congress alleged that the BJP government was protecting him. His son Prasath Madal was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 40 lakh for procuring raw material to Karnataka Soap and Detergent Limited (KSDL). His son was allegedly taking bribe on behalf of his father. KSDLK is a public sector unit, whose chairman was the MLA.

The authorities had seized Rs 8.12 crore and 1.6 kg gold from the residences of Virupakshappa and his son. Meanwhile, the Advocates’ Association, Bengaluru had objected to the immediate posting of Virupakshappa’s interim anticipatory bail application and expressed serious concern in its letter to CJI DY Chandrachud.

–IANS