Journalist arrested on charge of trying to blackmail MLA

He had allegedly posted fake audio clips on social media

The Central Crime Branch police have arrested a journalist, who was working with a now defunct Bengaluru-based Kannada news channel, for allegedly trying to blackmail Aravind Limbavali, MLA, with fake audio and video clips, and demanding ₹50 lakh from him. The Whitefield police took up the case after Girish Bharadwaj, PA to Mr. Limbavali, lodged a complaint with them last week.

It was handed to the CCB on Sunday, and a team picked up the accused, Hemanth Kammar, at his office in Sanjay Nagar.

In his complaint, Mr. Girish said that Hemanth had created a Facebook account in the name of Raghu Mourya and posted fake audio clips of the BJP MLA in May 2018. A case was filed in the Mahadevapura police station on May 12, 2018 under various sections of IT Act.

Recently, the journalist approached Mr. Girish stating that rival politicians were asking for copies of the audio clip. He also claimed to have video clips of the MLA, and allegedly demanded ₹50 lakh as payment for his silence.

Following this, Mr. Girish filed a complaint with the Whitefield police who charged Hemanth under Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 384 (extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 204 (destruction of documents ) of the Indian Penal Code and also under various sections of the IT Act.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) S. Girish, who arrested Hemanth, said that the accused had also created a fake WhatsApp account in the name of the CM’s Office with a write-up asking for the video clip and audio.

Investigation revealed that the channel he was employed with is no longer functional. “We suspect he blackmailed many people. However no one else has come forward to file a complaint,” said CCB officials.

The accused was produced before the court and taken into custody for further investigation.