Final Up to date:February 21, 2026, 23:12 IST
BJP MLA Chandru Lamani was caught by Gadag Lokayukta police accepting Rs 5 lakh bribe from contractor Vijay Pujar for Minor Irrigation Division works.

As per the officers, MLA Chandru Lamani demanded Rs 11 Lakh. (Picture: ANI)
BJP MLA Chandru Lamani was apprehended by the Lokayukta police on Saturday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh. The Gadag Lokayukta police had set a entice following a grievance from a contractor.
In a press release, officers reported, “Immediately, a profitable entice was laid by the Gadag Lokayukta police station. The accused public servant was caught whereas accepting Rs 5 lakh.” A case has been registered below Part 7(a) learn with 7(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Karnataka Lokayuktha says – Karnataka Lokayuktha raided a hospital belonging to BJP MLA Chandru Lamani and caught him receiving Rs 5 lakhs money alongside along with his two PAs and PS by a category one contractor. They’ve been secured and an investigation is in progress.(Pics: Karnataka… pic.twitter.com/6THFYaZCH2
— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2026
The complainant, Vijay Pujar, is a Class-I contractor from Chinchali, within the district. The alleged bribe was associated to initiatives below the Minor Irrigation Division, together with the development of retaining partitions alongside a street.
“The accused had demanded Rs 11 lakh from the complainant to execute the work. In the course of the entice, Rs 5 lakh was accepted,” officers stated.
Along with the MLA, who represents the Shirahatti Meeting constituency, his private assistants, Manjunath Valmiki and Guru Naik, had been additionally detained in reference to the case.
“Accused 1, 2 and three have been secured, and the investigation is in progress,” the Lokayukta acknowledged.
“The MLA has been caught by the Lokayukta, what does the BJP need to say now? It’s very simple to make accusations of corruption in opposition to others. However now their very own MLA has been caught. Let Lokayukta do its investigation, there will likely be no hindrance within the course of.”
“The BJP, which simply ranges bribery allegations in opposition to leaders of different events, now finds its personal MLA caught in a bribery case.”
Deputy CM DK Shivakumar reacted with sarcasm on the alleged bribery case and stated, “Usually they (BJP) are essentially the most sincere individuals on this nation, they aren’t corrupt individuals. I believe some flawed data you may need obtained. Allow us to see what Lokayukta tells, then I’ll reply.”
February 21, 2026, 18:52 IST
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