We all know about traps laid for catching government employees asking for and taking bribes red-handed. This is a trap with a difference. A second division clerk (SDC) in Jayanagar Regional Transport Office (RTO) was caught red-handed for `dereliction of duty', and for that -clearly a first of its kind -arrested. The SDC was brought to book and now cools his heels behind bars along with a middleman after being charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and faces an inquiry for misconduct and dereliction of duty. His vic tim was a diabetologist, Dr Karthik M.The reason behind the swfit action can be traced to a `relative' who accompanied Dr Karthik . The `relative' who was first-hand witness to the misconduct and deliberate harassment of Karthik was none other than Upa Lokayukta Justice SB Majage.Justice Majage was witness not only to the manner in which middlemen freely moved in and out of the SDC's office, but also to them actually handling and moving files which are out of bounds to non-RTO officials.The accused SDC, Ramakrishna, who allegedly harassed Karthik, could not recognise the Upa Lokayukta until he was alerted by some of his own colleagues.But by then, it was too late.Ramakrishna and a middleman named Naveed Pasha (who was found handling official documents and taking them outside the RTO precincts right in front of Justice Majage) were both arrested on the Upa Lokayukta's orders by the police who were let in on Justice Majage's sting operation plan.Karthik had applied for an RTO clearance certificate and cancellation of hypothecation with Jayanagar RTO in December 2014 as he had sold his Maruti Suzuki Swift car. However, as the work was not completed within the Sakala-stipulated one month's time, the doctor kept inquiring with the RTO officials.The SDC Ramakrishna initially cited variations in the chassis number on the `tax paid' receipt and the vehicle and asked Karthik to get the car showroom people to vouch for it being correct.The showroom confirmed that in the records pertaining to the first-sale of the car to Karthik, the Registration Certificate (RC) book, the chassis number was correctly mentioned, while the error had actually crept into the receipt given by the RTO office. Therefore, Karthik asked Ramakrishna to confirm the same from the RTO office.However, instead of doing so, Ramakrishna started harassing Karthik by allegedly intentionally delaying the work.“I had applied for it on Dec 6 and as per Sakala norms, he was supposed to give me (the clearance certificate) on Jan 6. However, he had kept the file with him and had moved it only on Jan 6 to the accounts department. The department had cleared it in three days, rectifying the mistake. But I didn't get the papers or the communication in this regard. On Saturday (Jan 17), I called him and told him that he was unnecessarily delaying and asked him what the problem was as even the accounts department had cleared it. But he again said there was a serious problem and the file had to go for 4 or 5 more people and he would look into it. When I told him that I may have to approach the Lokayukta, he said (in Kannada) `Haven't I seen the Lokayukta? I have also seen his father, and I don't care! You go anywhere!'. Then I filed a complaint with Upa Lokayukta, who immediately decided to come with me,“ Karthik told Bangalore Mirror.Upa Lokayukta Justice Majage decided to go with Karthik posing as his relative on Saturday itself ­ the very day he received the complaint.Nobody in Jayangar RTO recognised Justice Majage when he entered with Karthik. He went into Ramakrishna's chamber with Karthik and sat down.To Justice Majage's surprise, Ramakrishna was not in his seat but a middleman (Naveed Pasha) was at work, personally handling files.When Justice Majage enquired who he was, Pasha reportedly informed him that he was a staffer.When Ramakrishna came, he not only vented his anger at Karthik but also at Justice Majage, whom he failed to recognise.“Then a few from outside came and told him that the man was Upa Lokayukta.Then he calmed down and the police rushed in,“ Karthik explained.The SDC and the middleman were handed over to the police, and the clearance certificate was despatched to Karthik the same day.With the Upa Lokayukta himself a witness, the two were sent to jail after being booked under IPC sections 448 (punishment for trespass), 379 (punishment for theft) and 114 (abettor present when offence is committed) as the middle man was carrying 20 official files pertaining to the RTO outside office in front of Upa Lokayukta. The charges if proved will land the duo in jail for up to three years, a Jayanagar police official said.No bribe was demanded, but Justice Majage said an inquiry has been ordered into charges of misconduct and dereliction of duty and a report would be sent.“I found the complainant (Karthik) and the complaint to be genuine. Then I told him that I would accompany him.I went there around 12.30 pm.Later, when questioned on the whole thing, he (Ramakrishna) claimed he never knew Karthik. However, I have directed the police to act against them. An inquiry is on under the Lokayukta Act for misconduct and dereliction of duty,“ Justice Majage told .