New Delhi: The Supreme Court has cancelled the anticipatory bail granted to 2012-batch Karnataka cadre IPS officer Srinath Joshi Mahadev in a corruption case being investigated by the Karnataka Lokayuktha Police. Setting aside the Karnataka High Court’s order, the apex court directed Mahadev to surrender within three weeks of its October 29 order. It also clarified that he would be free to seek regular bail from the appropriate court in accordance with the law.
A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva observed that the prosecution material warranted deeper examination. The court said the high court was not justified in ruling out the possibility of custodial questioning while granting anticipatory bail to the officer.
Supreme Court Sets Aside Karnataka High Court’s Bail Order
The Supreme Court allowed an appeal filed by the Karnataka Lokayuktha Police challenging the Karnataka High Court’s September 1, 2025, order granting anticipatory bail to Mahadev.
At the time, Mahadev was serving as a Superintendent of Police in the Lokayuktha. The special court had earlier rejected his anticipatory bail applications, following which he approached the high court and secured pre-arrest protection.
The Supreme Court has now overturned that relief, directing him to surrender within three weeks. However, the court has preserved his right to apply for regular bail before the appropriate court.
Read also: Karnataka 2011 Recruitment Case: Supreme Court Rejects Law Protecting Selected Candidates
What Are the Corruption Allegations Against IPS Officer Srinath Mahadev?
The case originated from an FIR registered on June 2, 2025, under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Initially, the FIR named only Ningappa Savantha, a dismissed police constable, as an accused.
According to the prosecution, Savantha allegedly posed as an official from the Lokayuktha office and extorted money from public servants by threatening them.
Mahadev was subsequently named as the second accused based on disclosures made by Savantha. The prosecution alleged that the two were in contact and that Savantha frequently visited the Lokayuktha office to meet Mahadev.
These allegations are part of the ongoing investigation and have not been established as proven facts.
Supreme Court Raises Questions Over Damaged Mobile Phones
An important aspect of the case concerns two mobile phones seized from Mahadev during the investigation.
The Supreme Court noted that the devices had been tampered with and extensively damaged. They were subsequently sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination.
However, the forensic report was still awaited when the Karnataka High Court granted anticipatory bail to Mahadev.
Referring to the material collected by the prosecution, the apex court said the allegations required deeper examination. It also questioned the high court’s decision to rule out the possibility of custodial interrogation while granting pre-arrest bail.
Supreme Court Highlights Lokayuktha’s Role in Fighting Corruption
The Supreme Court expressed concern over the nature of the allegations, particularly because Mahadev was a senior police officer serving in an institution established to fight corruption.
“The very objective of the Lokayuktha’s establishment is to check corruption,” the bench observed.
The court indicated that allegations of corruption involving an officer serving within such an institution required serious consideration.
It also noted that Mahadev, being a senior officer in a uniformed service, could not necessarily claim the same treatment as an ordinary person seeking protection from investigation and arrest.
Why Did the Karnataka High Court Grant Anticipatory Bail?
Before approaching the Supreme Court, Mahadev had applied for anticipatory bail before the special court, but his applications were rejected.
He subsequently moved the Karnataka High Court, which granted him anticipatory bail on September 1, 2025.
While granting relief, the high court considered that Mahadev had appeared before the investigating officer after receiving a notice and had not been arrested. On this basis, it concluded that there was no apprehension of arrest warranting the denial of anticipatory bail.
The Karnataka Lokayuktha Police challenged this decision before the Supreme Court, leading to the latest ruling.
What Happens Next in the Srinath Mahadev Case?
With the Supreme Court cancelling his anticipatory bail, Mahadev has been directed to surrender within three weeks of the October 29 order.
He can subsequently approach the appropriate court for regular bail in accordance with the law.
The ruling allows the investigation to proceed without the protection previously granted by the high court. It also underscores the Supreme Court’s view that the prosecution’s material, including the condition of the seized mobile phones and the pending forensic examination, requires closer scrutiny.
The allegations against Mahadev remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings. The next stage will depend on his compliance with the surrender direction and the outcome of any regular bail application.
Read also: Supreme Court Reconstitutes Karnataka KPSC Recruitment SIT, Removes IPS Officer Alok Kumar
