K’taka cop arrested for stripping accused woman advocate who died by suicide
Bengaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the suicide case of a woman advocate, an accused in the Bhovi Development Corporation Scam, taken place during the tenure of the BJP government in Karnataka, has arrested Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) B.M. Kanakalakshmi on Tuesday in Bengaluru on charges of abetment to commit suicide and corruption.
Dy SP Kanakalakshmi was arrested following her appearance before the Investigating Officers on Tuesday morning.
The SIT had recorded her statement twice before.
Sources confirmed that the details in the suicide note matched with the video footage taken from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office.
S. Jeeva, a businesswoman from Bengaluru, who ran a wood material shop, ended her life by hanging at her residence after leaving an 11-page death note on November 22, 2024.
She alleged that she was taking the extreme step, unable to take torture by Dy SP Kanakalakshmi.
The 33-year-old Jeeva, charged that Dy SP Kanakalakshmi had given her third degree treatment by stripping her naked while being in the custody and demanded Rs 25 lakh bribe to leave her out of the investigation.
The deceased woman’s family also alleged that the CID officers harassed her at her shop and humiliated her in public and her staffers.
Jeeva took the extreme step within seven days of her questioning.
The case was handed over to the CID. In spite of the Karnataka High Court order to question Jeeva online, the CID had summoned her to appear before the CID.
Jeeva’s family cried foul and demanded action against Dy SP Kanakalakshmi.
S. Sangeeta, the younger sister of deceased Jeeva, had lodged a police complaint against the Dy SP with the Banashankari police station.
The Advocates’ Association had filed a petition before the Karnataka High Court demanding action against Dy SP in the case.
The Karnataka High Court constituted a three-member SIT, comprising of two IAS officers and a CBI officer to investigate the case.
It was alleged that a total of Rs 34 crore was illegally transferred from the Bhovi Corporation meant for the welfare of community members.
Of the total amount, Rs 7.16 crore was allegedly transferred to Annika Enterprises, a company owned by Jeeva.
The remaining amount was transferred to firms associated with close aides of former Managing Directors of the Bhovi Development Corporation.
The scam had come to light in 2022, during the tenure of the BJP government.
The probe had identified multiple bank accounts which received embezzled money.
Middlemen were in collusion with the Bhovi Corporation officials, collected government documents promising loans up to Rs 10 lakh and got their signatures and took the loans in their names.
The scam came to light when banks reverted to them for repayment of the loan.
