India
Hassan Deputy Commissioner Accused of Bribery, Denies Allegations
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy claimed that the Hassan Deputy Commissioner retained her post by paying ₹75 lakh to Excise Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda, who is also the in‑charge Minister of Hassan district. Speaking to presspersons in Hassan after visiting the historic Hasanamba temple on Sunday, November 8, 2026, Mr. Kumaraswamy read excerpts from a written script of a WhatsApp conversation between an unidentified person and Shashikiran, the personal assistant to the Hassan Deputy Commissioner. He said he received the conversation from an official who met him the previous night. The conversation was reportedly about seeking permission for three stone crushers. The personal assistant allegedly demanded ₹60 lakh to obtain clearance, and the other party listed the people with whom the amount had to be shared. Mr. Kumaraswamy said the conversation also mentioned that Mr. Shivalinge Gowda wanted to transfer the incumbent Deputy Commissioner from Hassan, but she allegedly convinced the Minister by paying ₹75 lakh through Arsikere Tahsildar Santosh. The script was also distributed to journalists. Mr. Kumaraswamy said it referred to the Hassan MP and several district officials. He demanded an investigation and urged the police to seize the mobile phone of the person concerned for further examination.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who visited the temple the same day, said the Deputy Commissioner had been doing a good job and that allegations were made against her because she did not yield to their demands.
Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Latha Kumari denied the allegations, stating she had never done anything illegal. She said she would take action if any wrong message had been sent by her personal assistant or anyone in his section. She condemned the circulation of “false and baseless information” and said a complaint would be filed with the cyber police. She added that an inquiry would be held and that those who had erred should face action, and that they would bring out the truth.