Two Karnataka Govt Officers Arrested for Sending ‘Fake Letter’ to Governor Complaining Against Agriculture Minister

GG News Bureau

Bengaluru, 21st Aug. The CID arrested two agriculture officers from Mandya district in connection with the “fake letter” sent to Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot stating that state Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy sought bribes.

According to a top CID official, the two agricultural department officers were arrested in the district’s KR Pet for allegedly writing the ‘fake letter’ on behalf of seven assistant agriculture directors.

In July, Raj Bhavan had received the purported letter complaining that the minister was exerting pressure on the officers and employees of the agriculture department through the joint director of agriculture to pay him bribes ranging from ₹ 6 lakh to ₹ 8 lakh.

They also threatened to commit suicide with their families if the “tradition” of seeking bribes was not stopped.

Accordingly, the Governor directed Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and N Chaluvarayaswamy called the letter a forgery and blamed it on the opposition BJP and JD(S).

Siddaramaiah later turned over the case to the CID for investigation, and the two officers were detained.

Former chief minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy condemned the arrests, saying they proved the minister’s role in the transfer and extortion business was true.

The former chief minister said: “Keep aside the discussion whether the letter (to the Governor) was fake or genuine but now the truth has come out that there was transfer business happening in the agriculture department.” “Why did the officers write the letter? Whether the officers are from Mysuru or Mandya but the fact is the truth has come out,” he claimed.