Lokayukta Traps Bajpe Police Inspector Accepting Bribe in Mangaluru

In a major anti-corruption operation, the Karnataka Lokayukta police trapped Inspector Balakrishna of the Bajpe Police Station in Mangaluru on September 21, 2026, while he was allegedly accepting a bribe from a complainant. According to Lokayukta officials, the police officer had demanded a total bribe of ₹25,000 to release cash that had been seized during an investigation into a cheating case registered at the Bajpe police station. The inspector had previously collected ₹15,000 from the complainant as an advance payment. Acting on a formal complaint regarding the persistent demand for the remaining amount, Lokayukta officials laid a trap and caught Inspector Balakrishna red-handed while accepting an additional ₹5,000 instalment. Following the trap, the officer was taken into custody by the Lokayukta team for further interrogation. A case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Mangaluru Lokayukta Police Station. Legal proceedings and detailed investigation are currently underway. The action reflects the continuous efforts of anti-corruption authorities in Karnataka to hold public servants accountable and curb corrupt practices within law enforcement agencies.