The case filed against Bangalore Urban Deputy Commissioner M.K. Aiyappa and Lokayukta Superintendent of Police (City) P.K. Shivashankar has taken a new turn with the complainant requesting the Lokayukta Special Court to change the investigating officer, alleging that the SP is pressuring him to withdraw the case.
The complainant, R. Srinivasa Murthy said on Friday the SP had called Lakshminarayana, one of the witnesses, and “spoke persuasively” a fortnight ago at a common friend’s house. His counsel submitted a CD of the purported conversation.
Mr. Shivashankar faces allegations of alerting Mr. Aiyappa about a complaint filed against him.
According to Mr. Lakshminarayana, who also filed two private complaints before the Lokayukta Special Court, the SP had met him at around 4 p.m. In the course of the conversation, which was being recorded, Mr. Shivashankar got suspicious when Mr. Lakshminarayana received a call, and started deleting files from the latter’s cellphone.
The original case dates back to September 24, when Rajeshwari, a case worker at the DC’s office, who is also an accused, allegedly demanded bribe for an order in favour of Mr. Srinivasa Murthy. In the recorded video, the case worker scribbled “Rs. 3 lakh per acre”, implying that was the DC’s bribe demand.
Threatened
Mr. Murthy went to Lokayukta Inspector Ravishankar and the latter reportedly spoke to Mr. Shivashankar. Later, Mr. Ravishankar said the SP wanted a recording of the DC’s demand. The complainant reached the DC’s office in 40 minutes but by then Mr. Aiyappa was already aware of his approaching the Lokayukta, and threatened him with dire consequences.
