Chennai: Prashanth Maadal, the chief accountant in Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and son of BJP MLA Maadal Virupakshappa, was arrested on Thursday after Lokayuta officials recovered 1.7 crore cash during a search. Karnataka’s anti-corruption watchdog started a search after Prashanth Mandal was caught taking a bribe of Rs 40 lakh for clearing a tender.
According to ANI, Karnataka Lokayukta said, “The anti-corruption branch of Lokayukta yesterday (Thursday) arrested Prashanth Maadal, son of BJP MLA Maadal Virupakshappa, while taking a bribe of Rs 40 lakh. Over Rs 1.7 crore in cash recovered from his office. Prashanth Maadal is the chief accountant of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).”
“Lokayukta officials conduct raid at the residence of Prashanth Maadal in Bengaluru. Around Rs 6 crore in cash recovered, search underway,” it said.
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On Thursday, a man reportedly gave a complaint against Prashanth alleging that he was taking bribes. Lokayukta Superintendent of Police (Bengaluru) KV Ashok and his team set a trap to discover the truth behind the claim.
When the Lokayukta officials visited the spot, they caught him getting a bribe of Rs 40 lakh.
Later, the anti-corruption watchdog raided the office and also found Rs 1.7 crore unaccounted cash. Following this, he was arrested at the office of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd (KSDL) which is known for making Mysore Sandal Soap on Friday.
It can also be noted that Virupakshappa is the Chairman of KSDL, said a report on NDTV.
The arrest of Prashanth is the first major arrest after Lokayukta's power was revived last year.