The police registered an FIR against former IAS officer K. Sham Bhat and two others for allegedly taking lakhs of rupees from an aspirant for the job of a sub-inspector in the Excise Department. At the time of the alleged crime, Bhat was chairman of the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).
The complaint was registered by retired police sub-inspector Siddaiah, a native of Tumakuru. He has alleged that retired sub-inspectors Pradeep and Dhanraj, along with Bhat, had taken the money after promising the job for his son, but cheated him.
Siddaiah, who had served in the city armed reserve force, stated in his complaint that he and Pradeep had retired from service six years ago. Pradeep promised Siddaiah to get the job of SI to his son. He introduced Siddaiah to Dhananjay in 2017. Dhananjay claimed to know Bhat very closely. He promised to get the job for his son if Siddaiah gave him ₹20 lakh.
Siddaiah handed over ₹10 lakh as advance and was told by Dhananjay that the money had reached Bhat and that his son’s job is confirmed.
However, his son’s name was not announced in the first list of appointments. He was told that it would be announced in the second list. But his name did not appear in the second list too.
Siddaiah demanded return of his money. Dhananjay returned ₹3 lakh, but when he did not get the rest of the money, Siddaiah filed a complaint.