Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has made serious allegations against IAS officer Latha Kumari, the Deputy Commissioner of Hassan, claiming that she paid a substantial bribe to avoid being transferred. The accusations have also implicated Karnataka Minister KM Shivalingegowda, who oversees the district.
Allegations of Corruption
During a recent press briefing in Hassan, Kumaraswamy revealed what he described as a script from a WhatsApp conversation involving an unidentified person and Latha Kumari’s assistant, Shashikiran. According to Kumaraswamy, this exchange exposed a bribery scheme aimed at preventing the officer’s transfer. Kumaraswamy alleged that a sum of Rs 75 lakh was paid to ensure Latha Kumari remained in her position.
Kumaraswamy further claimed that the Deputy Commissioner’s office was deeply involved in collecting bribes from stone crusher operators and real estate developers. These bribes were reportedly for obtaining necessary permissions and clearing land conversion files. To support his claims, Kumaraswamy released copies of WhatsApp chats which he said unveiled a corruption network involving intermediaries and senior officials.
Response and Denial
In response to these allegations, Latha Kumari has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the claims as “fake news.” She stated that a police complaint would be filed, promising that a thorough investigation would reveal the truth. “Spreading such fake news is an unforgivable crime,” she remarked, emphasizing her commitment to uncover the facts.
Latha Kumari insisted that neither she nor her office had engaged in any unauthorized activities. She warned that if any false messages were sent by her personal assistant or others, appropriate action would be taken. She also cautioned against the continued dissemination of what she termed as false information, promising to take decisive action against those responsible.
“We have never done anything wrong,” she reiterated, urging the public to allow a formal investigation to determine the truth and hold those responsible accountable.
Source: NDTV India
