Hassan:The political and administrative confrontation in Hassan district has intensified after Deputy Commissioner K S Lathakumari’s Personal Assistant Shashikiran filed a police complaint alleging that fake WhatsApp chats were created and circulated using his mobile number, days after Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy levelled serious bribery allegations against the DC and District In-charge Minister Shivalinge Gowda.
According to police, Shashikiran approached Hassan City Police Station stating that unidentified persons misused his mobile number to fabricate WhatsApp conversations and circulate them with malicious intent. He said fabricated messages have damaged his personal reputation and official standing and have created false impression of corruption within DC office.
In his complaint, Shashikiran stated that fabricated conversations mention names of Deputy Commissioner Lathakumari, Minister Shivalinge Gowda, Arsikere Tahsildar and officials from DC, AC and ADC offices, suggesting illegal collection of money from crusher owners and layout developers. Based on complaint, Hassan City Police have registered case under Sections 336(4) – forgery for purpose of cheating and 335 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with forgery and making false documents. Investigation underway.
The complaint comes in backdrop of press conference held by Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on November 8 in which he released 15 pages of screenshots of WhatsApp conversations allegedly belonging to Shashikiran. Kumaraswamy claimed that an unidentified government official had handed over documents to him and alleged large-scale corruption in Hassan district administration.,
Levelling serious charges, Kumaraswamy alleged that bribe of Rs 60 lakh was demanded for granting permission to three stone crushers operating in district. He further alleged that Rs 75 lakh was paid to Minister Shivalinge Gowda to ensure that DC Lathakumari was not transferred from Hassan.
Reading out portions of alleged WhatsApp chats, Kumaraswamy claimed that discussions had taken place regarding collection of Rs 60 lakh for three files related to crushers. He alleged that Minister had threatened to get DC transferred and that amount of Rs 75 lakh was eventually arranged and paid through Tahsildar Santosh to prevent her transfer. He also alleged that bribe money was distributed among several officials and staff members of DC office.
Kumaraswamy questioned whether Director General and Inspector General of Police Dr M A Saleem would order investigation into alleged conversations and demanded that identities of middlemen and those who received money be established. He demanded impartial probe.The allegations had triggered sharp political reactions across state, with opposition questioning integrity of Hassan administration.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner K S Lathakumari, who has consistently denied allegations, has posted cryptic message on her WhatsApp status and social media accounts, which has now gone viral and triggered considerable discussion.Earlier, reacting to allegations, Lathakumari had said she was being targeted from day one of assuming office as Hassan DC.
“I am not afraid of such allegations or threats. We receive training to face such challenges even before entering administrative service. Allegations against me are completely false. There is an attempt to tarnish reputation of a woman officer. Public should not believe such allegations,” she had said.
She asserted that she had not engaged in any unauthorised or illegal activities nor would she do so in future. She said fake information was being circulated in name of her PA’s WhatsApp conversations and insisted truth must come out through comprehensive investigation.Lathakumari had also stated that she would file complaint with Cyber Crime Police and pursue legal action to establish truth and clear her name.
Police said authenticity of alleged WhatsApp chats can only be established through forensic and cyber investigation, including verification of mobile devices, chat backups and metadata. Investigation will also focus on who created and circulated screenshots and with what motive.As of now, both sets of allegations – bribery charges made by Kumaraswamy and forgery complaint filed by PA – are under investigation.
