Bengaluru (IANS) | In a major setback for Karnataka’s ruling BJP ahead of the assembly elections, Lokayukta officials arrested party MLA from Channagiri constituency, Madal Virupakshappa, on Monday evening for allegedly accepting bribes in lieu of tenders. Virupakshappa’s anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Karnataka High Court and the BJP MLA, who was attending a public function, suddenly disappeared.

Lokayukta officials went to his residence in Channagiri to arrest him. Though, he tried to flee to Bangalore, the authorities took him into custody midway.

Lokayukta sources said the accused BJP MLA was taken into custody at the tollgate near Kyatsandra in Tumakuru district. A team of six DSPs and inspectors took part in the operation.

MLA’s son Prasath Madal was caught red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 40 lakh from a contractor in exchange for a tender for procurement of raw materials for Karnataka Soap and Detergent Limited (KSDL).

The MLA was the chairman of public sector unit KSDL and his son was allegedly taking bribe on behalf of his father.

Police had recovered Rs 8.12 crore and 1.6 kg gold from the residence of the MLA and his son.

Meanwhile, the Advocates’ Association, Bengaluru has raised serious concerns and objected to the immediate posting of Virupakshappa’s interim anticipatory bail application.

Vivek Subba Reddy, President of Advocates Association, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud that the general practice in the Karnataka High Court is that new cases like anticipatory bail take days and weeks for posting. But, VIP cases are shelved overnight. With this practice, the common man will lose faith in the judicial system. The letter states that it is of utmost importance that an MLA should also be treated like a common man.

The celebration was also criticized by his supporters after he was granted bail on 9 March.

–IANS