Dharwad tahsildar held in Lokayukta trap, ₹50 lakh cash seized

The Lokayukta Police have arrested Dharwad tahsildar Sachchidanand Kachanur in a bribery case, alleging that he was accepting ₹50 lakh for rectifying land records. He was produced before the Lokayukta Special Court in Dharwad on Thursday, which remanded him in judicial custody till October 1.

According to the Lokayukta Police, the officer was caught during a late-night trap operation near Karnatak College in Dharwad on Wednesday. Officials seized ₹50 lakh in cash during the operation.

The case relates to a 33-acre parcel of land at Yerikoppa village, about 12 km from Dharwad on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway. The Lokayukta Police allege that Mr. Kachanur had demanded ₹1 crore, to be paid in two instalments of ₹50 lakh each, along with one acre of land, in connection with changes to the title records of the property.

The landowner, Manjunath of Bagalkot, is said to have approached the Lokayukta Police after the demand was made. Acting on his complaint, officials registered a case and laid the trap.

The Lokayukta Police are investigating the circumstances of the alleged demand, including whether others were involved. They are also examining documents related to the mutation and title-transfer process for the Yerikoppa property. Officials described the operation as a major trap involving a serving Revenue Department officer and a substantial cash seizure, and said further investigation is on.

Separately, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi urged Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to order a judicial inquiry into the case. He said he had information that some Congress leaders were present when the cash was being handed over, and alleged that they were sent away from the scene by the sleuths under pressure. He demanded a thorough inquiry into the involvement of Congress leaders in the case.