LOKESH Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Sri. B.N. Jagadeesh, learned Special PP for the respondent-Anti Corruption Bureau (for short, 'ACB') has filed objection to this Petition and seriously objected for granting of bail so far as Petitioner No.1 is concerned.

(2.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Special PP for the Respondent - ACB. Perused the records.

(3.) The allegations made against the petitioners herein (A1, A2 and A4) in brief are that, the complainant by name A.P. Govindappa has lodged a complaint stating that, he has constructed a four floor building at Singasandra, Begur Hobli, Bengaluru South Taluk. It is alleged that, Accused No.1 posing himself as a Junior Engineer of BBMP office, has called the son of the complainant and told him to go to the BBMP Office along with the documents pertaining to the alleged building Accordingly, the complainant and his son-Pramod went to Accused No.1 and met him and in fact, he stated that, since no permission was obtained from the BBMP for construction of the building, the entire building will be demolished and for managing the things for not to demolish the building, he demanded Rs.3,00,000/- illegal gratification for not forwarding the objections filed with reference to the construction of building of the complainant. Later the complainant met Accused No.3- Puttanna @ Puttaswamy and asked him stating that Accused No.1 is demanding Rs.3,00,000/- for not forwarding objections and then, he instructed Accused No.1 to reduce the amount of illegal gratification to Rs.1,50,000/-. On 11.09.2019, Accused No.2, who was working as a waterman, on an instruction of Accused No.1, went to the alleged premises of the complainant and directed to stop further construction until he pay the said amount to Accused No.1. Since the complainant did not want to pay any bribe amount, he lodged a complaint before the respondent-ACB.