A woman accused of corruption fraud died by suicide – in the note she blames a CID officer

A 33-year-old woman accused in the Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation scam was found dead at her residence in Padmanabha Nagar, Bengaluru on Friday morning, November 22. The deceased, identified as Jeeva S, allegedly left an 11-page note alleging harassment by a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer, including allegedly disrobing during interrogation.

Jeeva’s sister Sangeetha S has filed a complaint with the Bengaluru police accusing CID Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kanakalakshmi of mental and physical harassment. The Banashankari police have registered a case against the DSP under Section 7 (public servants soliciting bribe) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 108 (abetment to suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

According to reports, Jeeva took part in the CID investigation on November 14 as per the directions of the Karnataka High Court. According to the complaint, the DSP allegedly undressed Jeeva during interrogation and asked if she had cyanide on her. The complainant also alleged that the officer demanded a bribe of Rs 25 lakh.

The alleged harassment reportedly continued until November 21. Sangeetha also alleged that Kanakalakshmi visited Jeeva’s shop shortly before her death and publicly humiliated her.

The Bhovi Development Corporation scam came to light in the financial year 2021-22 and involved alleged misuse of funds meant for loans under employment schemes for members of the Bhovi community. The case concerns accusations of using the names of 500 housewives to make false loan promises. According to the police, the accused allegedly created a list of fake beneficiaries, secured their signatures on real-time gross settlement (RTGS) forms and transferred an amount of Rs 5 lakh into their accounts. However, according to reports, the actual recipients received only Rs 25,000 each. The government launched a formal investigation into the scam in 2023, consolidating multiple FIRs and entrusting the case to the CID earlier this year.