Dharwad, 17 September (H.S.): Dharwad Tahsildar Sachidananda Kuchanur was caught by Karnataka Lokayukta officials while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50 lakh for correcting records related to a valuable parcel of land, officials said.

The case concerns 33 acres at Yarikoppa village, located between Dharwad and Kalghatgi. Of the total extent, around 13 acres had reportedly been classified as kharab, or non-cultivable land, in the official records.

The Tahsildar allegedly demanded Rs 50 lakh and two acres from the same property to alter its classification and regularise the ownership records. The complainant, identified as Manjunath Aralikatti of Bagalkot, had approached the revenue authorities to correct the title and other documents relating to the land he had purchased in Yarikoppa.

Acting on his complaint, a Lokayukta team led by Superintendent of Police Siddalingappa laid a trap near Karnataka College on Wednesday night. Kuchanur was caught while allegedly receiving the bribe amount from the complainant.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Ravindra Kurubagatti and inspectors Prasad, Karunesh Gowda and Prasad Panekar were among the officers who participated in the operation. Kuchanur was taken into custody and questioned as part of the investigation. Officials are also examining documents and other evidence connected with the alleged demand.

The arrest came shortly before a Satyanarayana puja and mass-feeding programme planned at the Tahsildar's office. Extensive arrangements had been made for the event, with cooks arriving the previous night to prepare food.

According to reports, meals had been arranged for nearly 2,000 people. The religious ceremony and community feast were scheduled to be held at the office when news of the Tahsildar's arrest emerged.

The Lokayukta has registered a corruption case, and further investigation is under way to determine whether others were involved in the alleged transaction.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman