₹50 Lakh Bribe, One Acre Land Allegedly Demanded; Dharwad Tehsildar Trapped by Lokayukta

Karnataka Tehsildar Caught Taking ₹50 Lakh Bribe in Dharwad Land Records Case

₹1 Crore Bribe Allegedly Demanded Along With One Acre of Land; Lokayukta Lays Trap

Karnataka Lokayukta officials have caught Dharwad Tehsildar Sachidananda Kuchanur allegedly red-handed while accepting ₹50 lakh in cash in connection with a land-records case.

According to Lokayukta officials, the case relates to approximately 33 acres of land at Yarikoppa in Dharwad taluk. A developer had approached the revenue authorities for rectification of land records and subdivision, locally referred to as podi. 

Alleged Demand of ₹1 Crore and One Acre of Land

Investigators said Kuchanur allegedly demanded ₹1 crore in cash and one acre of land in exchange for carrying out the required changes in the land records. Other reports say the ₹1 crore was to be paid in instalments, with ₹50 lakh allegedly being the first payment. 

The complainant subsequently approached the Lokayukta. Acting on the complaint, officials arranged a trap and asked the complainant to hand over the alleged bribe amount.

₹50 Lakh Cash Seized During Trap

The operation was conducted near Karnataka College in Dharwad, where the Tehsildar allegedly accepted the ₹50 lakh cash. Lokayukta personnel then intervened and took him into custody, with the alleged bribe amount seized. 

The investigation is continuing, including examination of the land records, the alleged bribe demand and whether anyone else was involved. The allegations remain subject to the investigation and legal process.