Bengaluru: Fake Lokayukta officers scam govt officials; BBMP engineer, retired executive targeted

In a shocking case of impersonation and extortion, two individuals posing as high-ranking Lokayukta officers attempted to defraud multiple government officials in Bengaluru. The FIR has been registered at the Vidhana Soudha police station following a complaint by Lokayukta Inspector Srikant.

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The accused reportedly contacted BBMP Assistant Executive Engineer Jyothi B. Chourlukar of Mahadevapura Zone via WhatsApp call. During the call, one of the imposters claimed to be a Superintendent of Police with the Lokayukta, while the other introduced himself as an Additional Director General of Police. They threatened her, stating that a confidential complaint had been filed against her, but added she could avoid trouble by cooperating.

The same scam was extended to retired Executive Engineer Ramamohan Ravi. He was threatened that his excess properties would be seized if he didn’t comply with their demands. On verifying the phone numbers on Truecaller, Ramamohan found the names “Parashuram” and “BS Patil” linked to the calls. Alarmed, both officials reported the incidents to the Lokayukta.

Investigations led to the arrest of an individual named Ningappa, who spilled crucial information during interrogation. He admitted to operating under multiple aliases and revealed a pattern of collecting regular “monthly payments” from officials. A diary seized from his residence in Hosadurga contained detailed financial records, while recovered mobile chats confirmed interactions with several government employees regarding bribes.

The Lokayukta police, under DySP Tippeswamy’s leadership, have launched a deeper probe. They are now scrutinizing Ningappa’s mobile data, bank accounts, and his dealings with cooperative societies. Evidence also suggests that Ningappa had close links with personal assistants of three Karnataka ministers and was sent to influence decisions or block raids.

Several BBMP, BDA, and revenue department officials are under the scanner as the Lokayukta prepares to issue formal notices.