Shashikiran H.D., a second division assistant at the DC’s office, stated in his complaint that he noticed screenshots of purported WhatsApp conversations circulating in Hassan. | Photo Credit: AP
Hassan City police on Sunday (November 8, 2026) registered a case on a complaint by the personal assistant to the Hassan Deputy Commissioner. He alleged that unknown persons had circulated “fabricated” WhatsApp conversations using his name and phone number.
Shashikiran H.D., a second division assistant at the DC’s office, stated in his complaint that he noticed screenshots of purported WhatsApp conversations circulating in Hassan. He maintained that he had not sent any such messages to anyone, and said he was shocked to see the screenshots shared as if he had.
The messages allegedly refer to District In-charge Minister K.M. Shivalinge Gowda, MP Shreyas M. Patel, Deputy Commissioner K.S. Latha Kumari and other officials. He said the circulation had harmed his reputation, caused him mental distress and put his career at risk.
Police registered the case under Sections 336(4), 335 and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deal with making a false electronic record, forgery to harm reputation, and using a forged record as genuine.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, who was in Hassan on November 8, released the screenshots at a press conference. Citing the chats, he alleged large-scale corruption among the DC’s office staff. He also alleged that the DC retained her post in Hassan by paying ₹75 lakh to Mr. Shivalinge Gowda.
The Deputy Commissioner denied the allegations and said she had done nothing illegal.
Published - November 09, 2026 04:50 pm IST
Source: The Hindu · The Hindu Bureau
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