Police in Hassan have registered a case after Shashikiran, a personal assistant to the deputy commissioner and a second-division assistant, complained that fabricated WhatsApp messages were being created and circulated in his name. Investigators have seized his mobile phone as part of the inquiry.
The complaint was filed at Hassan City Police Station in connection with WhatsApp chats that had triggered allegations of corruption against Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Latha Kumari and district in-charge minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda. Shashikiran has denied creating or sending the messages and alleged that his mobile number was misused to make the communications appear as though they had originated from his phone.
According to the complaint, the messages were deliberately created and circulated on social media despite those spreading them knowing that they were false. The messages reportedly referred to the deputy commissioner, the district in-charge minister, the Arsikere tahsildar, the sub-divisional officer and staff members of the additional deputy commissioner’s offices.
Hassan City Police registered the case under Sections 336(4) and 335 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The police have begun an investigation and taken possession of Shashikiran’s mobile phone. The supplied report does not state whether any arrest has been made or whether the messages’ original source has been identified.
The case has emerged amid a political dispute over allegations concerning transfers and possible bribery in the district administration. Union minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had raised corruption allegations, while Minister Shivalinge Gowda denied receiving money in connection with the deputy commissioner’s transfer. Gowda said that anyone with evidence should file a complaint and that an investigation could be conducted if appropriate evidence was provided.
The minister also challenged the allegations against him, saying he would accept removal from office if wrongdoing were established. The report does not provide independent confirmation of the corruption allegations, nor does it establish that the disputed WhatsApp messages were genuine.
The deputy commissioner has also drawn attention by sharing an image on her WhatsApp status and X account carrying the English message, “NOT EVERY VOICE DESERVES A RESPONSE.” The image showed a lion remaining quiet while dogs appeared to bark around it. The post was interpreted in political and administrative circles as a response to the allegations, although the report does not quote the deputy commissioner directly explaining its meaning.
The police investigation now involves determining how the disputed messages were created, whether Shashikiran’s number or device was used, and who circulated the content on social media. The seizure of the phone is the first reported investigative step in the case.
