Bengaluru : In an embarrassment to Karnataka  BJP  ahead of the assembly election, a party MLA’s son was caught accepting a bribe of Rs 40 Lakh in his father’s office here. The Karnataka government’s anti-corruption wing Lokayukta raided the V Prashant Maadal, son of BJP MLA from Karnataka’s Chennagiri , Maadal Virupakshappa,  caught taking bribe from a private individual  office of his father.

Prashanth is a chief accountant with BWSSB, but the bribe he was collecting was said to be meant for his father, who is  the chairman for Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd (K&SDL) The Lokayukta officials laid a trap and caught Prashant red-handed also recover 1.2 crore in cash from office. Lokayukta  – dug out ₹ 6.2 crore in cash at the home of BJP MLA  after his son Prashanth Madal was caught taking a bribe.

Meanwhile, Maadal Virupakshappa has stepped down as the chairman of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, the manufacturer of Mysore Sandal Soap. He has denied allegations against him in his resignation letter. According to sources, the MLA is untraceable and has applied for a pre-arrest bail. The search is on for MLA.

Chief Minister Bommai said the ombudsman will conduct an independent investigation. He also attacked the opposition Congress.”We have re-established Lokayukta to curb corruption. During the Congress regime, with Lokayukta dissolved, a lot of cases were closed. We will investigate the cases which were closed. Lokayukta is an independent institution and our stand is clear. The institution will investigate independently, and we will not interfere in it,” he added.