BANGALORE: Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Channagiri MLA Madal Virupakshappa was arrested by the Karnataka Lokayukta police last evening a few hours after his bail plea in a bribery case relating to Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) was dismissed by Karnataka high court.

Virupakshappa who is considered a close aide of former Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa was earlier granted anticipatory bail however the same was cancelled by the Karnataka High court 

Lokayukta inspector general of police A Subramanyeshwara Rao has confirmed the arrest, he said, "We arrested him in Tumakuru when he (the MLA) was on the way to Bengaluru." As a legal procedure, he will be produced before a court in Bengaluru and the Lokayukta will plead for his custody.

Virupakshappa was arrested near Kyathasandra toll plaza in Tumakuru, about 70 km northwest of Bangalore. He has been charged for demanding a bribe through his son Prashanth Madal, a KAS officer,

Earlier this month on March 2, Lokayukta officials had arrested Prashanth who was posted as the chief accountant of Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), red-handed for allegedly accepting Rs 40 lakh bribe.

It was alleged that Prashanth had reportedly demanded Rs 80 lakh as a bribe to clear a tender to provide raw materials to KSDL whose Chairman is Prashath's father Virupakshappa. 

After this, the Lokayukta officials conducted search operations at the residence of Prashanth and reportedly unearthed cash to the tune of Rs 8.23 crore. Madal Virupakshappa was named as the prime accused in the case.

Virupakshappa since went missing but resurfaced in Davanagere after producing the anticipatory bail after which he was given a rousing welcome by BJP party workers and his supporters and he even held a roadshow in his constituency. According to reports senior leaders from the party did not appreciate this show of strength and this has been conveyed to the MLA.

The principal opposition party the All India Congress which has consistently attacked the ruling BJP government said that the case was yet another example of the 40 per cent commission government.