Published Feb 20, 2026 | 7:06 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 20, 2026 | 7:06 PM
File photo of RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna.
Synopsis: According to police, Krishna allegedly created fake documents and an audio clip using the complainant’s photograph and uploaded them on his Facebook account, allegedly carrying out a defamatory campaign and targeting the officer.
RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna, the original complainant in MUDA land allotment case, where he had alleged the involvement of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah among others, has been arrested by police from Bengaluru’s Cyber Crime Division.
The arrest came after Krishna had alleged that former MUDA commissioner DB Natesh paid a bribe of crores of rupees for promotion. He also lodged a complaint with the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department on Wednesday alleging exchange of huge amount of cash in Mysuru.
The arrest followed an investigation into a complaint filed by Natesh. According to police, Krishna allegedly created fake documents and an audio clip using the complainant’s photograph and uploaded them on his Facebook account, allegedly carrying out a defamatory campaign and targeting the officer.
“During the investigation, evidence was collected from the complainant and social media platforms, and the audio clip uploaded on Facebook was examined,” a statement from the office of Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government on Thursday rejected allegations levelled by Krishna, stating that due process was followed.
In a communication, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh’s office said Krishna had objected to the promotion of Natesh, citing a case registered under Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. “The allegations made in your complaint are baseless,” the government stated.
Responding to the claim that prior approval under Section 17(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act had not been granted, the government said the proposal submitted by the Karnataka Lokayukta seeking sanction to investigate Natesh was examined and approval was accorded. “The Government examined the matter and accorded prior approval on November 11, 2024 for investigation/inquiry under Section 17(A),” the clarification stated.
Calling allegations levelled by the activist as baseless, the government said that it had not been provided with any substantiating material.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Anisha Reddy)
