MLA caught on tape asking for a bribe isn't going for a voice test, fearing it could land him in jail
MLA caught on tape asking for a bribe isn't going for a voice test, fearing it could land him in jail
>>Y Sampangi, KGF MLA, seeks Rs 5 lakh
>>He promises to help close criminal case
>>Site owner Farooq records conversation
>>He complains to Lokayukta police
>>Sleuths catch Sampangi accepting bribe
>>He is first MLA to be caught red-handed
An MLA caught taking a bribe is blocking an inquiry by refusing to get a voice test done.
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"He is just not co-operating," an exasperated Hegde told MiD DAY. Hegde plans to approach the government to counter Sampagi's adamant ways.
A legislature sub-committee is also looking into the bribery charge.
Lokayukta officials are waiting to inquire into other allegations made by Hussain Muyeen Farooq, who helped them lay a trap to catch Sampangi.
Police role
Cubbon Park police allegedly forced Farooq to sign on three blank sheets outside the Lokayukta's office.
The police had approached him to appear before their seniors after he had complained that Sampangi, a ruling party legislator, was threatening him.
Sampangi, who represents Kolar Gold Fields, is a first-time legislator, and was caught taking a bribe of Rs 50,000 in cash and Rs 4.5 lakh by cheque in January this year.
Shameful episode
It was the first time a sitting MLA was caught red-handed. The BJP suspended Sampangi from the party.
Lokayukta Santhosh Hegde has sought the permission of the speaker of the assembly, as required by law, to initiate proceedings against Sampangi.
Sampangi was allegedly accepting a bribe from Farooq, a resident of KGF, to get a criminal case against him closed.
A day before the incident, Farooq had approached the Lokayukta police and lodged a complaint against the MLA.
Real estate angle
According to the Lokayukta, Ilias Nayaaz and Khana Fiaz have been staking claim to a site owned by Farooq in KGF.
They allegedly used forged documents to trespass on the property.
At the Andersonpet police station, sub-inspector Pasha and inspector Lakshmaiah refused to register a complaint by Farooq. They finally registered a case only after a sub-inspector from KGF intervened.
Meanwhile, Ilias Nayaaz's wife lodged a complaint against Farooq, claiming ownership of the same site.
A criminal case was registered against Farooq.
Pillar to post
In the course of Farooq's efforts to prove that the case was false, the inspector and the sub-inspector of Andersonpet police station advised him to meet Sampangi.
When Farooq apprised Sampangi of the issue, he demanded Rs 5 lakh to get the case closed. Farooq recorded his conversation with Sampangi.
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