On a recent Sunday, a criminal complaint was filed in Hassan alleging that fabricated WhatsApp messages had been circulated using the mobile number of Shashikiran, personal assistant to Deputy Commissioner K.S. Lathakumari. The filing, made by Shashikiran himself, prompted the police to open a case under Sections 336(4) and 335 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The grievance states that the bogus chats mentioned the Deputy Commissioner, the district in‑charge minister, the Arasikere Tahsildar and several staff members of the DC, AC and ADC offices, thereby damaging Shashikiran's reputation and hampering district administration.
The controversy traces back to Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who, during a press conference on November 8, released a 15‑page set of screenshots purportedly showing WhatsApp exchanges involving Shashikiran. According to Kumaraswamy, the messages revealed a demand for Rs 60 lakh in bribes for operating three stone crushers and alleged that Deputy Commissioner Lathakumari had paid Rs 75 lakh to District In‑charge Minister Shivalinge Gowda to retain her post.
Lathakumari dismissed the claims on the social platform X, asserting that only truth would prevail. In a video statement she reiterated that neither she nor her office had engaged in any wrongdoing and warned that any lapse by her personal secretary would attract action. She also confirmed that a complaint had been lodged with the Cyber Crime police for a thorough investigation.
Continuing his campaign on Sunday, Kumaraswamy reiterated accusations of widespread corruption in granting permissions for stone quarries, crushers and land‑conversion projects. He alleged that Shashikiran, described as a close aide of the Deputy Commissioner, collected money from quarry owners and handed it over to the DC. The purported chats allegedly allocated Rs 50 lakh of the Rs 60 lakh bribe to the Deputy Commissioner, with the balance split among an aide named Sahana, a driver, a gunman and other staff. Additional figures cited include Rs 22 lakh for Assistant Commissioner Jagadish and Rs 13 lakh for Tahsildar Geetha.
Image: mangalorean.com
📰 Source: Mangalorean News