Udupi prosecutor arrested for accepting bribe

Lokayukta police arrested Ganapati Naika, an Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP), in Udupi on Wednesday. He was caught accepting a bribe of ₹2,000 while on the premises of the Udupi District Court. Naika was serving at the Additional Senior Civil Judge and JMFC Court, and also had additional responsibilities at the Principal Civil Judge and JMFC Court. The incident began when a friend of the complainant was involved in illegal sand transportation and had his vehicle seized by the Udupi City police. The complainant, who held power of attorney for his friend, filed a request to the court to get the vehicle back. According to Lokayukta police, Naika demanded a bribe of ₹2,000 to help facilitate the legal process for the vehicle's release. The complainant did not agree to pay the bribe and reported the matter to the Lokayukta police. A team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Manjunath and Police Inspector Rajendra Naika arrested Naika while he was accepting the money.