Thursday, January 29, 2009

Tragicomedy in 10 acts

Bangalore: For the first time in Karnataka, an MLA is caught taking bribe. MiD DAY brings you all the action, scene by scene of the trap, the foul-mouthed MLAs and the advocate brigade ...

Act 1: Telephone recording
Hussain Mueen Farook had filed a case against one Nayaaz, who he alleged had forged documents about a site. Nayaaz filed a counter complaint. The police directed Farook to approach KGF MLA Y Sampangi. Sampangi asked Farook for Rs 5 lakh bribe to close the case. Farook recorded the conversation in his mobile phone. Farook then showed the recording to the Lokayukta police, who laid the trap.

Act 2: The Trap
On Thursday at around 1 pm, Farook met Sampangi at the Legislators' House. He paid him Rs 50,000 cash and gave a cheque of Rs 4.5 lakh. Sampangi called the police in KGF and asked them to close the case. The Lokayukta raided and arrested the MLA.

A long road to prison

Act 3: The press conference
Lokayukta justice Santosh Hegde held a press conference at 4 pm. He did not get the MLA out saying he did not want him to be made an exhibit. He requested the press not to click his pictures.

Act 4: The Heart Attack
About 10 supporters of Sampangi came to Lokayukta with an ambulance saying that their leader was having chest pain. They said he was a heart patient and they wanted to take him to the hospital.

Act 5: The advocate brigade
Sampangi asked for an advocate and was provided with not one but many. At first, two advocates came. Then many more came along, but were not let inside. They were sending different law books to the two senior advocates. There were 10 advocates assisting. Meanwhile, the ambulance went back without the MLA.

Act 6: Shown the door
MLC D S Veerayya arrived but was not let in despite him telling them about his position. He then went to the side pretending that he had got a call. He joked about the press taking his photos.

MLA A Renukacharya, who made news after Jayalakshmi, a nurse, accused him of having an illicit affair with her, arrived. He was enraged when he was not let in. He and his followers hit the door with their fists and pushed the door. The constables stood firm. Renukacharya yelled using filthy language, not fit for publication.

Act 7: Hegde meets politicians
The Lokayukta met Veerayya and Renukacharya. Renukacharya again raised his voice and said, "Isn't Sampangi human? Why are you not letting us meet him?" The Lokayukta replied that if he let, people would say it was because Sampangi was from the ruling party. But he later took them to meet Sampangi.

Act 8: Lokayukta asks the press to leave
The Lokayukta asked the press to leave his premises, but got no response. In frustration, he joined his hands and begged them to leave. The police too requested them to leave and accompanied the press out of the premises.

Act 9: Distraction and escape
Renukacharya came out and met the TV channels. He said the Congress had laid the trap to tarnish the BJP's image. While the media were busy with him, Sampangi was taken through the back door so that no one could click his pictures while he was arrested. Sampangi was produced before the magistrate in Koramangala.

Act 10: The Jail
Sampangi was rejected bail, and was sent to Parappana Agrahara jail. He spent the night in jail and will be produced before the magistrate on Friday at 11 pm. The BJP also suspended Sampangi from the party.

Source: http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/jan/300109-KGF-MLA-Y-Sampangi-Caught-Red-handed-10-acts-Lokayuktha-Corruption-Bribe-takers-Bangalore.htm

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