Commercial tax officer caught red handed by Lokayukta

Mangalore, August 12: A Commercial Tax officer has been caught red handed by the Lokayukta police on charges of graft in the city on Wednesday.

Acting on a complaint by one Mohammed, who was being victimised by the tax officials, the Lokayukta raided the Assistant Commercial Tax Officer Beeranna Naik's residence at Karangalpady and caught him along with a an accountant Narasimha Rao and seized Rs 1.5 lakh.

Ore tenderer Mohammed had approached Naik for an H-form which provides sales tax exemption on export of commodities. Mr Naik and Rao had demanded a bribe of Rs 3 lakh from him. After negotiations, they had reduced the demand to Rs 1.5 lakh.

Meanwhile, Mohammed complained to Lokayukta and acting as per their guidance paid the bribe. The Lokayukta team led by DySP Sadananda Vernekar surrounded the accused, soon after they accepted the money.

The apprehended officer in a bid to escape threw the money on the roof top of a house. However, it was recovered by the Lokayukta officials.

Beeranna Naik would retire from service in 15 days.