A tahsildar from Dharwad district, Karnataka, has been apprehended by Lokayukta police for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50 lakh. This incident occurred on September 17, 2026. Dharwad Tahsildar Sachidananda Kuchanur was reportedly caught in a sting operation while receiving the cash intended as a bribe to correct land records.

The complaint was filed by Manjunath Aralikatti from Bagalkot, who purchased 33 acres of land in Dharwad. The accused had not only demanded monetary compensation. He also requested one acre of land valued at Rs 1.5 crore in exchange for processing the land record rectification.

The apprehension took place at the premises of Karnataka College Dharwad, where the Lokayukta police set up a trap based on the complaint filed. Following the alleged acceptance of the bribe, Kuchanur was taken into custody, and the Rs 50 lakh was seized for further investigation.

Allegations Surrounding the Bribe Demand

The Dharwad Lokayukta office provided insight into the specifics of the alleged solicitation, indicating that the Rs 50 lakh demand was directly linked to the rectification of the RTC (Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops) records relevant to the land purchased by Aralikatti. The tahsildar’s actions raised serious concerns regarding corruption within local administration.

During the operation conducted by the Lokayukta police, it was claimed that Kuchanur accepted the cash in a clear exchange for favours related to official documentation. This case highlights ongoing issues of corruption, particularly within administrative roles pertaining to land management in the region.

The local authorities continue to investigate the matter thoroughly. They aim to gather all pertinent information related to the transaction and establish the full scope of wrongdoing. Local officials have emphasised the importance of transparency to restore public trust in the administrative processes.

Ongoing Investigations by Lokayukta Police

The Lokayukta police have officially registered a case regarding this incident. The team is delving deeper into the circumstances that led to the alleged bribery. In its statement, the Lokayukta office noted that Kuchanur was responsible for the official duties involving the rectification of RTC records that were reportedly pending.

This incident took place under the scrutiny of Police Inspector Karuneshgouda. He led the operation with support from deputy superintendents of police and other law enforcement personnel. Their coordinated efforts resulted in the successful apprehension of the suspect. This signifies a proactive approach to combatting corruption in government offices.

The Lokayukta police have reassured the public that they will continue the investigation to ensure accountability within administrative operations. The unfolding events serve as a reminder of the ongoing fight against corruption in public services, vows that officials intend to uphold.

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