Politics · India · 6 hrs ago
Kumaraswamy alleges bribe over Hassan Deputy Commissioner’s post
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy made bribery allegations about Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Latha Kumari in Karnataka.
He said a WhatsApp conversation he had been given described a payment of ₹75 lakh to district in-charge Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda to prevent her transfer.
The alleged conversation also concerned permission for three stone crushers, with the Deputy Commissioner’s personal assistant allegedly asking for ₹60 lakh to secure clearance.
Kumaraswamy called for an investigation and urged police to examine a phone linked to the conversation.
Latha Kumari denied doing anything illegal and said she would report the spread of what she called false information to cyber police.
She said there should be an inquiry and that anyone found responsible should face action.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the Deputy Commissioner had done a good job and suggested the allegations were made because she had not given in to demands.
H.D. Kumaraswamy alleged that Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Latha Kumari paid ₹75 lakh to district in-charge Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda to retain her post.
He said the claim was based on excerpts of a purported WhatsApp conversation involving the Deputy Commissioner’s personal assistant.
Kumaraswamy said the conversation also concerned a request for permission for three stone crushers and an alleged demand for ₹60 lakh to secure clearance.
Kumari denied wrongdoing and said a complaint would be filed with the cyber police over the circulation of what she called false information.
Kumaraswamy called for an investigation and for police to seize the phone of the person concerned.
- Who
- Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy made the allegation against Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Latha Kumari and Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda. Kumari denied wrongdoing.
- What
- Kumaraswamy alleged that Kumari paid ₹75 lakh to Shivalinge Gowda to retain her post.
- When
- November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Hassan, Karnataka, India.
- Why
- Kumaraswamy said a purported WhatsApp conversation involved seeking permission for three stone crushers and alleged payments connected to clearance and the Deputy Commissioner’s post.
H.D. Kumaraswamy
K.S. Latha Kumari
Alleged payment
H.D. Kumaraswamy
Kumaraswamy alleged that Kumari paid ₹75 lakh to Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda to retain her post.
K.S. Latha Kumari
Kumari denied the allegations and said she had done nothing illegal.
Purported messages
H.D. Kumaraswamy
Kumaraswamy said excerpts of a WhatsApp conversation showed a personal assistant seeking money for stone-crusher clearance and described a payment to the Minister.
K.S. Latha Kumari
Kumari said any wrong message sent by her personal assistant or anyone in his section would be addressed with proper action, and called the information false and baseless.
Kumaraswamy said an official met him and gave him the contents of the purported conversation the previous night.
Kumaraswamy made the allegations to reporters in Hassan after visiting the Hasanamba temple.
Kumari denied wrongdoing and said a complaint would be filed with the cyber police.
- Alleged payment to retain post
- ₹75 lakh
- Alleged amount sought for clearance
- ₹60 lakh
- Stone-crusher requests mentioned
- 3
- Deputy Commissioner
- K.S. Latha Kumari
- Minister named in allegation
- K.M. Shivalinge Gowda
1 source
What people are saying
However, allegations are being made against her because she did not yield to their demands
I have not done anything wrong, I am not doing anything wrong, and I will never do anything wrong
Let there be an inquiry. Those who have erred should face action.