The Karnataka Lokayukta stated on Thursday that senior IPS officer Srinath Mahadev Joshi had been in contact with G Ningappa, a former head constable arrested for allegedly extorting Rs 4.92 crore from authorities officers by posing as a Lokayukta officer.
“Joshi was in contact with Ningappa and was concerned in threatening authorities officers and to extort cash. They used the code phrase ‘kg’ and within the preliminary probe, it has been revealed. The collected black cash was being transformed to white cash by investing in cryptocurrency,” the anti-corruption watchdog stated in an announcement.
A police officer stated that “kg” referred to lakhs.
Lokayukta stated Joshi was concerned in extortion and exchanged associated WhatsApp messages with Ningappa, also referred to as Ningappa Sawanth.
In keeping with the Lokayukta, Ningappa, had 23 cryptocurrency wallets and Rs 4.92 crore was invested in 13 wallets. On June 15, Joshi’s home was searched after the Lokayukta police secured a warrant from the courtroom, the assertion stated.
He was a superintendent of police within the Lokayukta till June 12.
The Lokayukta additionally stated that there have been no complaints from outdoors (authorities officers or personal individuals) however that the case was registered when the Lokayukta chief received to know concerning the extortion.
Ningappa was arrested within the case on June 2. He has been launched on bail.
Story continues under this advert
The Karnataka Excessive Courtroom has ordered an interim keep on the investigation towards Joshi and Ningappa within the extortion case.
On June 30, the Lokayukta police approached the excessive courtroom searching for permission to proceed their investigation towards Joshi and Ningappa, citing public concern over the credibility of the establishment. On Thursday, Justice S R Krishna Kumar of the excessive courtroom posted the matter to Tuesday.
Thirty-five instances have been registered at varied police stations the place Ningappa allegedly approached authorities officers, primarily from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the excise division, with extortion calls for.
Ningappa used the names not solely of Lokayukta law enforcement officials but in addition of the Lokayukta and the Upa Lokayukta, the anti-corruption watchdog suspects.
Story continues under this advert
Ningappa is accused of calling authorities officers over the telephone to extort cash starting from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.