Kumaraswamy alleges Hassan officials sought Rs 60 lakh bribe
In short
Union minister HD Kumaraswamy alleged that officials in Karnataka’s Hassan district asked for bribes to clear crusher files and land conversion proposals. He said he shared 15 pages of WhatsApp chats and claimed Rs 60 lakh was sought for three files.
He also said Rs 75 lakh was paid to keep an official in post. The claims point to alleged bribery in local government work.
What the reporting says
Union minister HD Kumaraswamy alleged officials in Karnataka’s Hassan district demanded bribes to clear crusher-related files and land conversion proposals. He said he released 15 pages of purported WhatsApp conversations and claimed Rs 60 lakh was sought for three files, while Rs 75 lakh was paid to secure an official’s continuation in a post. The allegation raises corruption concerns in local approvals.
Why it matters
Union minister HD Kumaraswamy accused officials in Karnataka’s Hassan district of seeking money to clear crusher-related files and land conversion proposals. He released 15 pages of purported WhatsApp chats and alleged Rs 60 lakh was demanded for three files, while Rs 75 lakh was paid to keep an official in position. The matter is relevant to district administration, local approvals and public scrutiny of corruption allegations.