{
  "id": 9130445,
  "title": "Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda’s remark: Advocate files complaint with Karnataka Lokayukta",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/minister-k-m-shivalinge-gowdas-remark-advocate-files-complaint-with",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T10:58:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/minister-km-shivalinge-gowdas-bribe-remark-advocate-files-complaint-with-karnataka-lokayukta/article71494697.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An advocate in Hassan has filed a complaint with the Karnataka Lokayukta over Excise Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda's recent remarks. M.D. Gopala Gowda submitted the complaint on September 21, expressing concern that the Minister had endorsed the offering of bribes to officers. Speaking to reporters, the complainant claimed the statement would violate the Prevention of Corruption Act. The Minister made the controversial comments during a Praja Seva Andolana meeting in Sakleshpur on September 19, suggesting people could offer money \"respectfully\" to officers for their work, referring to it as \"dharma.\" The video clip of the statement quickly circulated, drawing criticism from multiple sources. When contacted about the complaint, Karnataka Lokayukta Superintendent of Police B.N. Nandini stated that the police had received it but could only act upon it after receiving clearance from the head office in Bengaluru. Former minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Revanna criticized the statement, arguing that if the minister himself was suggesting people offer bribes \"respectfully,\" people were left with few options for obtaining services.",
  "summary": "He submitted a video clip of the Minister’s statement along with the complaint and claimed that the statement would attract provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}