Karnataka High Court directs SIT to investigate suicide of accused in Bhovi Development Corporation case

The deceased, Jeeva, a resident of Padmanabha Nagar in Bengaluru, allegedly died by suicide on November 22. She had left behind a 13-page note accusing a DSP-ranked police officer, Kanakalakshmi, of harassing her mentally and physically, and even stripping her, during the investigation. She also alleged that the officer demanded a bribe of Rs 25 lakh.

Jeeva’s sister also filed a complaint alleging that the officer visited the shop of the deceased and publicly humiliated her. An FIR was filed by the Banashankari police under BNS sections relating to abetment of suicide as well as provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The accused officer approached the Karnataka High Court against the case.

Representing Kanakalakshmi, Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dalwai, said the officer had only discharged her duty and there was no question of any torture, and the death of the deceased by suicide might be due to any other reason. Dalwai also argued that the court-ordered videographing of the investigation had not indicated such wrongdoing.

The Advocates Association of Bangalore also approached the court expressing doubts that the investigation by the police would be carried out fairly, arguing that an independent body such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should handle the probe.

Justice Nagaprasanna said, “Investigation now is a must. At whose hands is what is required to be considered… Merely because the petitioner is a deputy superintendent of police, it would not mean that the entire police force would be biased in her favour and render a lopsided report. But at the same time, it is necessary to balance public confidence in any investigation being fair. Therefore, if not transfer the entire case to an independent agency like the CBI, I deem it appropriate to draw a part of the independent agency to the investigation by constituting a Special Investigating Team drawn from different sources.”

The High Court observed that while there was no document to indicate the demand of Rs 25 lakh, the matter could be investigated by the SIT if any material regarding the allegation is found. The court gave the team three months from the commencement of the investigation to conclude the process.

The alleged Bhovi Development Corporation scam came to light in 2021-22.