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BJP MLA caught taking bribe


Express News Service
First Published : 30 Jan 2009 01:11:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 30 Jan 2009 11:15:19 AM IST

BANGALORE: In a major embarrassment to the BJP Government in Karnataka, a sitting MLA of the ruling party was on Thursday trapped by the Lokayukta while accepting a bribe. And as a slap to the political establishment, the MLA was nabbed right in the Legislators’ Home in Bangalore.

Kolar Gold Fields legislator Y Sampangi, a two-time MLA, was caught taking a bribe of Rs 50,000 in cash and Rs 4.5 lakh in cheque around noon. This is the first time a sitting legislator has been caught red-handed.

In a quick-fix move, the BJP suspended Sampangi from the party.

Lokayukta Santhosh Hegde said the Speaker has been informed about the issue and also observed that the Lokayukta needs the Speaker’s permission to initiate prosecution proceedings against a legislator.

Sampangi was accepting bribe from one Hussain Muyeen Farooq, a resident of KGF to get a criminal case against the later closed and get the police to submit a B report on the same.

Early on Thursday, Farooq had approached the Lokayukta police and lodged a complaint against the MLA. According to the Lokayukta, two persons Ilias Nayaaz and Khana Fiaz have been staking claim to a site owned by Farooq in KGF.

Forged documents were being used by the duo to trespass on Farooq’s property.

At the Andersonpet pol ice stat ion, sub-inspector Pasha and inspector Lakshmaiah refused to register a complaint by Farooq.

A case was registered only after a sub-inspector from KGF intervened.

Meanwhile, Ilias Nayaaz’s wife lodged a complaint against Farooq claiming ownership of the same site.

A criminal case was registered against Farooq.

When Farooq apprised Sampangi of the issue, he demanded Rs 5 lakh for getting the case closed. The entire conversation with Sampangi was recorded by Farooq.

Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde said, “On Thursday, when MLA Sampangi asked Farooq to come to the Legislator’s Home and make the payment, Farooq informed him that he had only Rs 50,000. The MLA told Farooq to issue him a cheque for the remaining amount of Rs 4.5 lakh.”