Manipal: Lokayukta sleuths have arrested Ravichandra K, Deputy Environment Officer of Karnataka State Environment Control Board, Udupi district, while accepting a bribe of Rs 12,000 from an entrepreneur, in his office in Manipal on September 9, Thursday.

Reportedly, complainant named Ganesh A Nalthur had applied for a no objection certificate to establish a coconut industry by name Nisarga in Yadadi- Mathyadi, in Kundapur taluk and had paid the fee of Rs 5,000 at the Environment Control Board office, at Shivalli Industrial Area.

But the arrested official put forth the demand to pay the amount of Rs 15,000 as bribe, hence Nalthur had lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta.

On Thursday, the team held Ravichandra red handed while receiving the bribe. The team of Lokayukta police, headed by Inspectors Thimmaia and BP Dinesh Kumar arrested him and produced him before the court.