Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa was arrested by Lokayutka police Monday evening at Kyatsandra near Tumakuru in an alleged bribery case, hours after the state’s high court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition, holding that his interrogation in custody is necessary because sufficient material has been found against him.
The MLA and a few close associates were heading to Bengaluru from Channagiri when Lokayukta police intercepted his vehicle near Kyatsandra toll plaza and took him into custody after serving a notice and completing legal formalities.
Virupakshappa has been arraigned as accused No. 1 in bribery case, following his son Prashanth Kumar’s arrest when he was caught accepting a kickback of Rs 40,00,000 from a contractor on behalf of his father for a tender issued by the state-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd (KS&DL) earlier this month. Virupakshappa was chairman of KS&DL.
Prashanth is accused No. 2 in the case. A total of £610,000 was seized during the trap at Virupakshappa’s office and raid on Prashanth’s house.
The Karnataka HC granted Virupakshappa ad interim anticipatory bail on March 7 this year, which Lokayukta police objected to and challenged it before the Supreme Court. Dismissing Virupakshappa’s petition and cancelling the interim anticipatory bail granted to him, Justice K Natarajan pointed out that the complainant has said he had approached Virupakshappa for allotment of tender and payment, and therefore, without the MLA’s instruction, the question of his son consulting the complainant, demanding and accepting the bribe does not arise.
“Police are yet to collect the statement of witnesses without any hindrance. The statement of the family members of the accused No. 1 has been recorded by the investigation officer and the amount has been seized from his bedroom,” the judge noted in his order.