Police constable, driver in Lokayukta net over bribery in sand smuggling

KALABURAGI: A police constable and a police jeep driver were arrested by the Lokayukta police after they were caught red-handed accepting a bribe from a sand smuggler. A police inspector was also questioned, but later let off.

Constable Shivaraya.

Constable Shivaraya and the inspector’s jeep driver Avvanna G Ummaragi were caught by the Lokayukta police when they were receiving Rs 30,000 to allow illegal transport of sand.

In an audio clip, the two can be heard conversing with sand smugglers and demanding Rs 32,000 per truck load to allow the vehicle to pass without being checked. The constable and the driver can even be heard saying that the money is for the Circle Police Inspector. They even talk of how they had helped the sand smuggler several times earlier.

Jeep driver Avvanna G Ummaragi.

Inspector Shivaprasad Mattad was also called in for questioning at the Government Guest House at Jewargi on Friday, but was let off due to lack of evidence. The constable and the driver were arrested and sent to judicial custody.