An advocate in Hassan has filed a complaint with the Karnataka Lokayukta taking exception to Excise Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda’s recent controversial statement on ‘offering respectfully’ to officers for the service they render.

M.D. Gopala Gowda, an advocate, filed the complaint with the office of the Lokayukta Police in Hassan on September 21. Speaking to reporters, the complainant said the Minister had openly suggested that people pay bribes to officers. He said the statement would attract provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He submitted a video clip of the Minister’s statement along with the complaint.

The Minister, while taking part in a Praja Seva Andolana meeting at Sakleshpur on September 19, suggested to people that they could offer money ‘respectfully’ to officers for work done, and that doing so was dharma. The video clip went viral, and the Minister drew criticism from various quarters for the remark.

When The Hindu contacted Hassan Lokayukta Superintendent of Police B.N. Nandini regarding the complaint, she said the police had received it, but that it could be registered only after clearance from the head office. “We have sent it to the head office in Bengaluru. We will act further on the complaint only after getting a response from the head office,” she said.

Former minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Revanna, taking exception to the statement, remarked that if the minister in charge of the district himself was suggesting people offer a bribe, ‘respectfully’, what else could people do? He added that anyhow people can not get any service delivered without offering bribe in the district.