Archive · 25 Dec 2025
HC Rejects Petition to Quash Bribery Case
A man named Ravindra Gurunath Dhakappa, who works as a State Information Commissioner, is accused of asking for a bribe.
A journalist named Saibanna Benkanhalli said Dhakappa wanted Rs3 lakh to help with a complaint.
The journalist sent Rs1 lakh, but then got the money back.
Dhakappa asked the court to stop the case, but the court said there is enough proof to keep investigating.
The court wants to make sure the investigation continues without any problems.
The Karnataka High Court denied a petition by State Information Commissioner Ravindra Gurunath Dhakappa to quash a bribery case against him.
The case alleges Dhakappa demanded a bribe of Rs3 lakh from journalist Saibanna Benkanhalli for resolving an RTI application.
The court found sufficient evidence, including audio recordings, to warrant further investigation.
Dhakappa's lawyers argued that the transaction was reversed and the audio evidence was not properly handed over.
The Lokayukta lawyers countered that multiple conversations and a 9-minute call discussing the bribe were evidence enough to proceed with the investigation.
- Who
- Ravindra Gurunath Dhakappa, a State Information Commissioner, and journalist Saibanna Benkanhalli, the complainant.
- What
- The Karnataka High Court rejected a petition to quash a bribery case against Dhakappa.
- When
- The complaint was filed on March 27, and the petition was heard recently.
- Where
- The case is being heard in the Karnataka High Court, Bengaluru.
- Why
- The court found sufficient evidence, including audio recordings, to warrant further investigation into the bribery allegations.
- Petitioner
- Ravindra Gurunath Dhakappa
- Allegation
- Demanding a bribe of Rs3 lakh
- Complainant
- Journalist Saibanna Benkanhalli
- Court
- Karnataka High Court
- Judge
- Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum
- Evidence
- Audio recordings and preliminary evidence of corruption
- Amount Transferred
- Rs1 lakh
- Date of Complaint
- March 27