New Delhi: The Supreme Court has cancelled the anticipatory bail granted to IPS officer Srinath Mahadev Joshi in an alleged extortion case involving government officials who were reportedly threatened with action in the name of the Karnataka Lokayukta.
A two-judge bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice K. Vinod Chandran issued the direction while hearing an appeal filed by the Karnataka Lokayukta challenging the Karnataka High Court’s September 2025 order granting Joshi protection from arrest. According to the reported order, the officer must surrender before the police within three weeks.
Joshi, a 2012-batch IPS officer of the Karnataka cadre, inducted into the service through promotion from the State Police Service.
Alleged Extortion Using the Lokayukta’s Name
The case concerns allegations that government officials, including those in the Excise Department and other departments, were targeted for extortion by individuals claiming to have links with Lokayukta officials.
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The investigation has focused on Joshi’s alleged association with former head constable Ningappa Savantha, who is accused of demanding money from public servants by threatening raids or other anti-corruption action.
According to the allegations, the money was collected by exploiting the authority and reputation of the anti-corruption institution.
Cryptocurrency Transactions Under Investigation
The case also involves allegations concerning the handling of the money collected.
According to the report, the funds were allegedly invested in cryptocurrency through 13 digital wallets held in the names of relatives.
Supreme Court Order Changes Officer’s Bail Status
The Karnataka Lokayukta approached the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court’s decision granting Joshi anticipatory bail. The Supreme Court’s reported order cancelling that protection requires the officer to surrender within the stipulated three-week period.
Who Is Srinath Mahadev Joshi?
Srinath Mahadev Joshi is an Indian Police Service officer from the Karnataka cadre who entered the IPS through promotion from the State Police Service in July 2017. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree. He previously served as Superintendent of Police in the Karnataka Lokayukta’s Bengaluru City division, where he was associated with the state’s anti-corruption police unit. In June 2025, he was moved out of the Lokayukta post amid an investigation into an alleged extortion racket involving government officials.
Joshi’s name surfaced in the case alongside former police constable Ningappa Savant, who is accused of extorting officials by claiming to act on behalf of Lokayukta authorities. The allegations against Joshi remain subject to legal proceedings and should not be treated as established facts.
