Bengaluru: The high-profile bribery case involving excise department officials, who were caught in a Lokayukta trap for allegedly demanding crores of rupees in bribes, has taken a dramatic political turn with the complainant directly naming Excise Minister B. Thimmapur. The allegations have triggered a major controversy in Karnataka’s political circles, putting both the excise department and the state government under intense scrutiny.
The case came to light after Lakshmi Narayan, a Bengaluru-based property developer, approached the Lokayukta with a detailed complaint accusing excise officials of demanding bribes to clear liquor-related licences. In his statement, Lakshmi Narayan claimed that senior officials not only demanded money but also indicated that the bribe amount would be shared with higher political authorities, including the minister.
According to the complainant, his company is developing a large-scale property project named “Unali Brew Park” in the Hulimavu area of Bengaluru. He said the project was nearing completion and required CL–7 and microbrewery licences as part of its commercial operations. “We applied online for both licences well in advance. All required documents were submitted and government fees were paid. Despite this, the application did not move forward for several months”, Lakshmi Narayan stated.
He alleged that when he personally visited the excise department to enquire about the delay, officials made it clear that the file would not move without payment of bribes. “They openly told me that ₹80 lakh was required for the CL–7 licence and ₹1.5 crore for the microbrewery licence. They called it a ‘package deal’, he alleged. More alarmingly, Lakshmi Narayan claimed that officials discussed how the money would be divided, allegedly stating, “This much for them and this much for us”.
The complainant further claimed that the officials themselves told him that a portion of the bribe money would reach the excise minister. He has stated that he possesses audio recordings of conversations with officials that allegedly support his claims. The emergence of the minister’s name has significantly escalated the political fallout from the case.
Frustrated by the persistent demands, Lakshmi Narayan lodged a formal complaint with the Lokayukta. Acting swiftly, the anti-corruption agency planned a trap operation. As per Lokayukta officials, ₹25 lakh was arranged as trap money, which was part of the ₹80 lakh allegedly demanded for the CL–7 licence. Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Shivaprakash Devaraj confirmed that the trap was conducted around 12.30 pm on January 15, Thursday. “A case has been registered under Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Based on the complaint, action has been taken against three excise officials”, he said.
During the trap operation, excise constable Lakkappa and superintendent Thammanna were caught while allegedly accepting the bribe amount at the excise office in Battarayana Pura. Officials said the accused attempted to flee but were later secured. Searches are currently underway at the residences of the arrested officials to trace further evidence and possible money trails. The Lokayukta also revealed that the complainant had already paid more than ₹21 lakh towards official government fees. “Despite all statutory fees being paid, bribes were demanded even to sign the file at the deputy commissioner level. This is a very serious matter”, SP Shivaprakash Devaraj said.
With the excise minister’s name being mentioned in the allegations, opposition parties have seized the issue, demanding a high-level probe and accountability. Sources indicate that the Lokayukta investigation may widen in the coming days, potentially bringing more officials or political figures under the scanner. As the probe progresses, the case has become a major talking point in Karnataka politics, with all eyes now on whether the investigation will remain limited to officials or move further up the political ladder.
