In a startling revelation, the Karnataka Lokayukta Police have uncovered WhatsApp messages linking IPS officer Srinath Joshi to Ningappa Savant, a dismissed constable accused of masterminding an extortion racket targeting government officials. Joshi served as Superintendent of Police (SP) in the Karnataka Lokayukta until last week.
The link between the two came to light after the arrest of Savant on June 2 and the subsequent recovery of WhatsApp messages and call records from his mobile phone. These messages allegedly revealed Savant reporting large sums of money—amounting to over ₹56 lakh collected from excise officials—to Joshi.
Investigation Deepens as High Court Steps In
The case took a legal turn when Savant was granted interim bail by the Karnataka High Court on Thursday, citing procedural violations during his arrest. His wife, G K Chandrakala, argued that the Lokayukta police failed to follow Supreme Court-mandated arrest procedures.
Justice S R Krishna Kumar observed that “the fact that the grounds of arrest were not intimated, furnished or communicated to the petitioner or her husband” justified the bail order. Savant has been released on interim bail for four weeks.
Earlier, on June 17, the High Court had stayed the Lokayukta police’s FIR against Savant, and a day later, it also stayed a summons issued for questioning SP Srinath Joshi in connection to the case.
Fake Raid Threat Leads to Breakthrough
The extortion racket came to light following a May 23 complaint by a Regional Transport Officer (RTO) in Tumakuru, who claimed he received a threatening call from someone impersonating SP Vamsi Krishna of the Bengaluru City Lokayukta. The caller demanded a bribe to prevent a raid.
Police traced the call to Ningappa Savant, who was then arrested. His phone was subjected to forensic examination by the state CID, leading investigators to recover damning data, including multiple exchanges with SP Srinath Joshi, and records of alleged financial dealings.
₹4.15 Crore Extorted, Say Investigators
Investigators allege that Savant extorted more than ₹4.15 crore from dozens of government officials across Karnataka. Posing as a Lokayukta officer or claiming close ties with them, Savant reportedly demanded bribes to shield officials from anti-corruption raids.
Evidence suggests that the accused frequently visited the Lokayukta office and held meetings with Joshi, further supporting the claim of collusion. The Lokayukta police are now probing excise officials who allegedly paid bribes through Savant to avoid investigation.
Lokayukta to Challenge HC Stay on Investigation
Despite the High Court’s interim relief to Savant and stay orders concerning Joshi, sources within the Lokayukta say the investigation remains active. The agency has gathered substantial digital and technical evidence and is preparing to seek an early hearing to vacate the court-imposed stay, initially scheduled for July 15.
The Lokayukta’s official statement on June 17 confirmed that “information about the involvement of other officers with the accused is being gathered by examining WhatsApp messages, call details, and WhatsApp call details.”
