Contractor Sharanappa Kurabanala exposed for using Lokayukta officers’ names to extort crores

Electrical contractor Sharanappa Kurabanala built a massive extortion network in Bengaluru, misusing the names of senior Lokayukta officers to threaten and collect money from officials and contractors.

In a major expose, NewsFirst has uncovered a shocking extortion racket led by Sharanappa Kurabanala, a Bengaluru-based electrical contractor who misused the names of Lokayukta officials to threaten, intimidate, and extort huge sums of money from government staff and fellow contractors.

Sharanappa, originally from Kushtagi in Koppal district, runs two firms, Sri Siddaganga Electrical Enterprises and Siddaganga Enterprises. With nearly 30 years of experience in the electrical contracting business, he was once known for assisting the Lokayukta in exposing a few corrupt BESCOM officials. Over time, this connection turned into his biggest weapon.

Using his limited acquaintance with certain Lokayukta officials, Sharanappa began dropping their names, especially that of SP Vamshikrishna, claiming that the officers worked under his influence. He would approach contractors, linemen, and engineers, demanding lakhs of rupees, threatening that if they refused, he would ensure their arrest by the Lokayukta.

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Investigations revealed that he had collected over ₹10 crore through such intimidation. The money was reportedly invested in the stock market and partly circulated under the pretext of donations to mutts such as Suttur Mutt, Siddaganga Mutt, and Kunduru Mutt. He allegedly told donors that the funds would be used to feed poor students, but the money was instead diverted for his personal use.

The racket came crashing down after two men, Lokesh and Ramesh, decided to expose him. Posing as a contractor and a lineman respectively, they approached Sharanappa pretending to seek help in settling a fake Lokayukta case. Their hidden cameras captured explosive audio and video evidence of Sharanappa demanding bribes and boasting of his influence over top Lokayukta officials.

Here's a part of the audio clip: 
Sharanappa: “Stand straight! You think I’m joking? Should I get you arrested? I have that power. You know SP Vamshikrishna, right?”
Ramesh (posing as lineman): “Please, sir… don’t.”
Sharanappa: “Then give two-three lakhs. Want no punishment? Pay up.”
Ramesh: “Sir, I’ll pay, please don’t arrest me.”
Sharanappa: “Bring five lakhs to Thalaghattapura Metro. I’ll show you my bank account,  ₹4.41 crore balance. That’s how power works.”
Ramesh: “Sir, please… I’ll give two lakhs, leave me.”
Sharanappa: “Don’t test me. Five lakhs, or I’ll call Lokayukta and have you arrested right now.”

WHO IS SHARANAPPA KURABANALA?
•    Origin: Kushtagi, Koppal district
•    Profession: Electrical Contractor, Bengaluru
•    Firms: Sri Siddaganga Electrical Enterprises & Siddaganga Enterprises
•    Accused of:
o    Misusing Lokayukta officers’ names
o    Extortion of BESCOM officials and contractors
o    Laundering money through fake charity drives
o    Investing illicit gains in the stock market

How he was trapped
Lokesh and Ramesh, aware of Sharanappa’s extortion tactics, carefully planned a sting. They posed as professionals needing help to avoid Lokayukta action and recorded every meeting. The footage clearly shows Sharanappa using fake Lokayukta links to demand bribes and threaten arrest for non-payment.

The sting not only exposed his fraudulent claims of power but also provided undeniable proof of how he exploited the Lokayukta’s name to enrich himself through intimidation and deceit.

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