Karnataka Lokayukta Arrests Minister’s Aide for Bribery in Electricity Approval

The Karnataka Lokayukta has arrested Jyothi Prakash (50), an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the state’s Energy Minister K. J. George, and Naveen M (34), his driver, in a bribery case. The duo was caught accepting ₹50,000 during a sting operation while demanding a ₹1,00,000 bribe to clear a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for power supply to a builder’s project. www.ndtv.com The operation was triggered by a formal complaint from a local resident who alleged that the NOC was held up by officials unless a bribe was paid. On interception, the accused were caught in the act. The arrest was made under Sections 7(a) and 7(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended). www.ndtv.com This case demonstrates misuse of ministerial connections and administrative authority to extort money for procedural approvals. It also sends a signal about vigilance agencies targeting lower-level functionaries in the chain.