Bengaluru: Union Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy has alleged that IAS officer Lata Kumari, the Deputy Commissioner of Karnataka’s Hassan district, paid a bribe of ₹75 lakh to prevent her transfer. He has also accused Hassan district in-charge Minister KM Shivalingegowda of receiving the alleged amount.
The allegations have triggered a political and administrative controversy in Karnataka, with Kumaraswamy claiming that a network of intermediaries was involved in collecting bribes in the district administration.
Kumaraswamy made the allegations while speaking to reporters on Sunday after offering prayers at the historic Hasanamba Temple in Hassan.
What Are The Allegations? WhatsApp Chats Cited as Evidence
During his interaction with the media, Kumaraswamy read out portions of a written script that he claimed contained details of WhatsApp conversations between an unidentified individual and Lata Kumari’s personal assistant, Shashikiran.
Read Also: Karnataka Transfers Four IAS Officers; Prabhuling Kavalikatti Named School Education Commissioner
Referring to the alleged conversations, the Union Minister claimed that ₹75 lakh had been paid to district in-charge Minister KM Shivalingegowda to ensure that Lata Kumari continued as Hassan Deputy Commissioner.
He accused the minister of being part of the alleged corruption network and released copies of the purported WhatsApp chats to support his claims.
Kumaraswamy further alleged that the Deputy Commissioner’s office was involved in collecting money from stone crusher owners and residential layout developers. According to him, payments were allegedly sought for granting permissions and clearing land-conversion files.
He also claimed that Shashikiran was collecting money through intermediaries and passing it on to Lata Kumari.
Who is IAS Officer K.S. Latha Kumari?
K.S. Latha Kumari is a 2012-batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, inducted into the IAS through promotion from the State Civil Service (SCS). She is currently serving as the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Hassan district, Karnataka, a position she assumed in June 2025.
She holds an M.Sc. in Microbiology.
Before her present assignment, she held several administrative positions in the Karnataka government, including:
- Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Bengaluru Urban (August 2024 – June 2025).
- Secretary, Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), Bengaluru (September 2023 – August 2024).
- Director, Department of Welfare of Disabled and Senior Citizens, Bengaluru (January 2022 – September 2023).
- Managing Director, Karnataka State Medical Services Corporation Ltd. (April 2021 – January 2022).
- Secretary, Government of Karnataka (September 2018 – September 2019).
- Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Kolar (April 2018 – September 2018).
What Did IAS Officer Lata Kumari Say?
Responding to the allegations, Hassan Deputy Commissioner Lata Kumari dismissed the claims as fake news and said that a police complaint was being filed.
She maintained that neither she nor her office had participated in any unauthorised activities. She also said that if her personal assistant or anyone in his section had sent any inappropriate or unauthorised messages, strict action would follow.
Lata Kumari termed the circulation of false information an unforgivable act, alleging that such claims were intended to malign, target and undermine individuals.
She urged the public not to believe the allegations without verification and called for a proper investigation into the matter.
The IAS officer also warned that those responsible for spreading false information in the press and among the public would be identified and held accountable.
She reiterated that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing would face strict action and said that the truth would emerge through an investigation.
The allegations have sparked a political and administrative controversy in Karnataka. However, with Lata Kumari rejecting the claims and calling for an investigation, the authenticity of the purported WhatsApp conversations and the allegations remains to be established.
