Karnataka BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa has found himself in a spot of bother after the state’s Lokayukta caught his bureaucrat son, Prashanth Kumar, taking a bribe of Rs. 40 lahks from a contractor. The opposition Congress has launched a tirade on the state’s BJP government ahead of this year’s crucial assembly elections.
According to reports, the accused bureaucrat is the chief accounts officer of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). Kumar was arrested from the office of the state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, which manufactures the popular soap brand, Mysore Sandal Soap.
Ironically, Kumar’s politician father, who is an MLA from Channagiri in the Davangere district, is the chairman of the KSDL. The Lokayukta has named both the father and son as accused in the bribe case.
A report by news agency PTI said that the 2008 batch Karnataka Administrative Services officer had demanded a bribe of Rs. 80 lahks from a contractor for allowing him to buy raw materials required to manufacture soap and other detergents. The contractor reportedly approached the Lokayukta, which swung into action to lay a trap to nab Kumar red-handed.
“The money was received on behalf of the KSDL chairman Virupakshappa for raw material procurement. The trap was laid at 6.45 pm. Chairman of KSDL and the accused, who received money, are father-and-son,” Lokayukta sources were quoted as saying.
The developed became the topic of intense conversation on social media, where users poked fun at the BJP.
#BJP MLA’s son caught red handed taking bribe of 40 lakhs from a contractor in #Karnataka,
He demanded a total of 80 Lakhs from the contractor. 40% Sarkar going to take any action on 40 Lakhs bribe MLA? pic.twitter.com/QRxdycErCs
— YSR (@ysathishreddy) March 2, 2023
He is not just Chief Accountant of BWSSB….he is the son of sitting BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa, Chairman of Karnataka Soaps & Detergents….and to eliminate this corruption Modi-Shah want the public to vote for the BJP. https://t.co/Qnu94X2GR4
— Sarat Shanmukh (@SaratShanmukh) March 2, 2023
Ahead of Karnataka polls, sitting BJP MLA’s son caught red-handed receiving Rs 40 lakh bribe
Sitting BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa’s son Prashanth Madal was caught by the Lokayukta officials when he was accepting the bribe at his office in Bengaluru.
— Dr RAMACHANDRAN DEVASUNDARAM (@DrDevasundaram) March 2, 2023
Lucky for some not so lucky for others 40 !
What has the NUMBER 40 got to do with the BJP?
receiving Rs 40 lakh bribe
Sitting @BJP4Karnataka MLA Madal Virupakshappa’s son Prashanth Madal was caught by the Lokayukta officials at his office pic.twitter.com/TThS7cRe2P— Mysore Congress Sevadal (@sevadalmys) March 2, 2023