Published Feb 15, 2026 | 1:45 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 15, 2026 | 1:45 PM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: Lokayukta Police in Shivamogga arrested KAS officer Siddalinga Reddy and Village Assistant Rajesh while allegedly accepting a ₹40,000 bribe from a driver. The trap followed a complaint by Keshavamurthy, whose car was leased to the SLAO office. A team led by DySP B.P. Chandrashekhar conducted the operation under SP M.S. Kaulapure’s guidance.
Karnataka Lokayukta Police in Shivamogga on Saturday, 14 February, arrested two officials, including a Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officer, while they were allegedly receiving a bribe of ₹40,000 from a driver.
Those arrested are Siddalinga Reddy, Special Land Acquisition Officer for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and Village Assistant Rajesh, reported The Hindu.
Police stated that Keshavamurthy, a resident of Othighatta village, had leased his car to the SLAO office. The officer is said to have demanded a bribe of ₹40,000 to clear outstanding payments. Unwilling to comply, Keshavamurthy approached the Lokayukta Police and lodged a complaint.
Rajesh, a village assistant attached to Holalur Nada Kacheri, was apprehended near Nehru Stadium in Shivamogga on Saturday evening while accepting the bribe on behalf of Siddalinga Reddy.
Later, Reddy was taken into custody. He had previously served as Additional Deputy Commissioner in Shivamogga.
The operation was carried out by a team led by BP Chandrashekhar, Lokayukta Deputy Superintendent of Police, under the guidance of MS Kaulapure, Lokayukta Superintendent of Police. Inspectors KP Rudresh, Gururaj Mylar and others assisted in the trap, according to an official press release.
