Bull for Bribe: Karnataka Farmer's Unique Response to Corrupt Officials

In Savanur, a small town in Haveri district, a government official demanded a bribe of Rs 25,000 from a local farmer. When the farmer, Yallappa Ranoji, did not have the cash to pay the bribe, he came up with a unique solution. On Friday, he brought his bull all the way from his farm to the town municipal council office. Upon arrival, he tied the bull to a pole near the front door and confronted the officer who had demanded the bribe. Ranoji proposed that the officer keep the bull in exchange for the bribe amount. The officer had allegedly asked for the bribe in exchange for changing the khata of the farmer's house. Ranoji explained to reporters in Savanur that he had already paid some money to a previous officer who had served in the municipal council. However, since that officer had been transferred and a new officer had taken charge, he was being asked for more money. With no cash on hand, he brought his bull as a form of payment. Higher authorities after knowing the details have assured the farmer for completion of his work and issued show cause notices to the officials who demanded bribe.