Karnataka tehsildar caught taking Rs 50 lakh bribe in land records case

A tehsildar in Karnataka's Dharwad district was caught red-handed while allegedly accepting Rs 50 lakh in cash, Lokayukta SP Siddalingappa said late on Wednesday night.

The action followed a complaint from a developer over the rectification of land records and the carrying out of 'podi', or sub-division, of land at Yarikoppa in Dharwad taluk.

According to the Lokayukta, tehsildar Sachidananda Kuchanur had allegedly demanded 1 acre of land and Rs 50 lakh in cash to get the rectification done. "So, when he was supposed to receive Rs 50 lakh cash today, we trapped him," Siddalingappa said.

The Lokayukta SP said the developer had purchased around 33 acres at Yarikoppa and was seeking rectification of records showing cultivable and 'kharab' portions of the land.

He said the Joint Director of Land Records had earlier ordered the cancellation of the previous 'podi' and directed that a fresh one be carried out. After this, the Assistant Director of Land Records submitted a proposal to the tehsildar for rectification and sub-division of the land.

Siddalingappa said the complaint was given on Wednesday afternoon, after which the Lokayukta registered the case and laid a trap. The tehsildar had asked the complainant to come near KCD Ground, saying he would collect the money there.

"The cash was in a red-coloured bag," Siddalingappa said, adding that the complainant handed over the bag and the tehsildar put it in his own bag, after which Lokayukta officials caught him.

Siddalingappa said further action, including the examination of Kuchanur's premises, would be decided later.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 17, 2026 06:47 IST