The Principal District and Special Court in Kalaburagi has convicted the former Afzalpur Tahsildar Shashikala Padagatti and an intermediary, Shivanand Jamkhandi, in a bribery case, sentencing each to four years simple imprisonment and imposing a fine of ₹20,000 each.

According to the prosecution, Ms. Padagatti demanded a bribe of ₹1 lakh from Shivalingayya Basayya Math, a data entry operator working on contract at the Karajagi Nada Office, to help resolve a complaint filed against him.

She threatened to have him removed from service if he failed to pay the bribe.

Acting on a complaint lodged by Mr. Math with the Lokayukta Police on August 31, 2017, the investigating agency laid a trap.

During the operation, Mr. Jamkhandi was caught accepting the bribe amount on behalf of Ms. Padagatti, following her instructions. Both were arrested and subsequently charge-sheeted.

After examining oral and documentary evidence, Principal District and Special Judge G.L. Lakshminarayana held that the prosecution has proved the charge beyond reasonable doubt.

In the judgment delivered on Wednesday, the court convicted Ms. Padagatti under Sections 7 and 13(1)(d) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, while Mr. Jamkhandi was convicted under Section 8 of the Act.

Lokayukta Special Public Prosecutor Ashok S. Chandakavath represented the prosecution.

Lokayukta police personnel Hanmantharaya and Gundurao assisted in securing the presence of witnesses during the trial.

Published - July 09, 2026 08:46 pm IST