BJP legislator in Madhya Pradesh caught on camera taking bribe

Authorities in Madhya Pradesh have launched a probe into a sting-operation involving a BJP legislator who has been caught on camera purportedly accepting a bribe for opening a college in his constituency.

A local property broker today claimed he has conducted a sting-operation against Ramesh Khatik, the MLA from Karera in Shivpuri district.

The dealer, Ajit Chourasia, said he conducted the operation on October 31, 2009 with the help of his brother against Khatik, who allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs5 lakh from him for setting up an engineering college in Karera.

The ruling party MLA was caught on camera purportedly accepting Rs10,000 as the first installment.

Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was in Indore today, told reporters that he is getting the matter investigated by officials, and that Khatik will face action if the charges against him are proved right.

State BJP president Prabhat Jha said that he is examining the clippings being aired on news channels and if they were correct the party will take appropriate actions against the MLA. Khatik was not available for comment.

Khatik's son Chetan, along with his associates allegedly kidnapped him on December 12, 2009 from the city and took him to Shivpuri when the MLA came to know about the sting operation, Chourasia claimed.