Dharwad Tehsildar Caught in ₹50 Lakh Lokayukta Trap Amidst Massive Religious Feast

The term ಲೋಕಾಯುಕ್ತ (Lokayukta) has trended across Karnataka following a dramatic anti-corruption operation in Dharwad. In a case that has drawn widespread public attention for its scale and irony, Dharwad Tehsildar Sachidananda Kuchanooru was caught red-handed by the Lokayukta police while accepting a significant bribe to illegally alter land records.

The Midnight Trap: ₹50 Lakh Recovery

On the night of Wednesday, September 17, 2026, a team led by Lokayukta SP Siddalingappa conducted a cinematic raid within the Karnataka College (KCD) grounds. The operation resulted in the apprehension of Tehsildar Sachidananda Kuchanooru as he was accepting ₹50 lakh in cash. This amount was part of a much larger demand involving both currency and real estate.

The case originated from a complaint filed by Manjunatha Aralikatti, a resident of Bagalkot. Aralikatti had purchased land in Yerikoppa village, located between Dharwad and Kalghatgi. Out of 33 acres in the area, 13 acres were classified as 'kharabu' (waste land). The Tehsildar allegedly demanded a total of ₹1 crore in cash and 2 acres of prime land to modify these official records to the buyer's advantage [2].

Irony of Piety: Puja and Bribes

What has made this specific ಲೋಕಾಯುಕ್ತ raid go viral is the stark contrast between the official's criminal activity and his public religious displays. While the Tehsildar was being apprehended for taking a bribe, he had simultaneously organized a massive Sri Satyanarayana Puja and a community feast at his office for the following morning.

Reports indicate that preparations for the feast were in full swing, with cooks working throughout the night to prepare food and payasa for approximately 2,000 people [1]. This juxtaposition of a high-profile religious event and a high-value corruption trap has fueled significant discussion on social media.

Wider Anti-Corruption Sweep

The Dharwad operation was not an isolated incident. The Lokayukta has recently intensified its crackdown on government officials across the state. Other notable actions reported around the same period include:

• Bengaluru: A GST Superintendent was caught accepting a bribe of ₹8 lakh.
• Bannerghatta: Raids were conducted targeting officials within the Bannerghatta Panchayat.
• Mangaluru: A Bajpe police station inspector was apprehended for accepting a ₹5,000 bribe.