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National

Karnataka Tehsildar Caught Taking ₹50 Lakh Bribe In Dharwad Land Records Case

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 17 Sep 2026 17 Sep 2026

A tehsildar in Karnataka’s Dharwad district was allegedly caught accepting ₹50 lakh in cash during a Lokayukta trap linked to the rectification and subdivision of land records, officials said.

According to Lokayukta SP Siddalingappa, tehsildar Sachidananda Kuchanur had allegedly demanded ₹50 lakh along with one acre of land from a developer to facilitate changes in revenue records related to property in Yarikoppa, Dharwad taluk.

Complaint Over Land Records Led To Lokayukta Trap

The case followed a complaint filed by a developer who had purchased around 33 acres of land in Yarikoppa. The developer was seeking corrections in official records concerning the cultivable and “kharab” portions of the property, as well as the subdivision, locally referred to as podi, of the land.

Siddalingappa said the complaint was received on Wednesday afternoon, following which the Lokayukta registered a case and planned a trap.

The tehsildar allegedly asked the complainant to meet him near KCD Ground to hand over the money.

₹50 Lakh Handed Over In Red Bag

According to the Lokayukta, the complainant arrived with ₹50 lakh in cash kept inside a red-coloured bag.

The money was allegedly handed over to Kuchanur, who placed the bag inside his own bag. Lokayukta personnel then intervened and caught the tehsildar while he was allegedly accepting the cash.

“We laid a trap when he was supposed to receive ₹50 lakh cash,” Lokayukta SP Siddalingappa said, according to the officials.

The alleged demand reportedly arose in connection with the process of correcting the land records and conducting a fresh subdivision of the property.

Fresh ‘Podi’ Ordered For 33-Acre Property

Officials said the Joint Director of Land Records had earlier directed that the existing podi be cancelled and a fresh subdivision carried out.

Following the order, the Assistant Director of Land Records submitted a proposal to the tehsildar concerning the rectification and subdivision of the land.

The developer subsequently approached the Lokayukta, alleging that money and land had been sought to move the process forward.

The Lokayukta said further steps in the case would be decided after examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged bribe transaction.

Premises May Be Examined

Siddalingappa said investigators would also decide whether to conduct searches or examinations at Kuchanur’s premises as part of the investigation.

The case concerns alleged corruption in connection with official land-record procedures. The allegations against the tehsildar remain subject to investigation, and the trap itself does not by itself establish guilt.

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