Karnataka Excise Officer Arrested in Rs 2 Crore Bribery Case for Liquor Licences

• Lokayukta police arrested Excise Officer Jagadish Naik, Superintendent Tammanna, and middleman Lakkappa in Bengaluru for demanding over Rs 2 crore in bribes.
• Naik was caught with Rs 25 lakh at the Batterayanapura office; the total demand was Rs 2.25 crore for CL-7 and microbrewery licences.
• Former corporator Lakshminarayana set the trap after Naik demanded Rs 2.25 crore for two liquor licences, despite the standard fee being paid.
• The state government is conducting an online auction for 569 defunct liquor permits, with base prices ranging from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore, expecting bids up to Rs 3 crore in Bengaluru.
• Opposition leader R Ashoka called Naik an "A1 crook" and alleged a massive Rs 950 crore bribery racket involving various liquor licence types.

Why It Matters: A Karnataka excise officer was arrested for demanding over Rs 2 crore in bribes for liquor licences.