Lokayukta police on Tuesday arrested a village accountant and his associate for allegedly accepting a ₹2.5 lakh bribe in Markunda village, Bidar district. The primary accused, identified as Shivakumar, and his associate Sharanayya Swami, were caught during a coordinated sting operation while receiving the cash from a local resident.

The enforcement action followed a complaint by Mahadev Shantappa, who alleged that the officials demanded ₹5 lakh to facilitate the mutation of his house. Shantappa approached the Lokayukta after refusing to pay the illegal gratification, leading to the planning of a trap at a dhaba on the outskirts of the village.

A team led by Bidar Lokayukta Deputy Superintendent of Police Hanumantharaya executed the raid as the first installment of the bribe was being exchanged. Investigators recovered the marked currency notes from the scene and documented the transaction as evidence of the corruption.

Both Shivakumar and Sharanayya Swami remain in custody as the Lokayukta police proceed with formal charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Officials stated that further investigation is underway to determine if other revenue department staff were involved in the extortion attempt.