Bengaluru, February 19 The Karnataka government on Thursday rejected allegations made by social activist Snehamayi Krishna regarding the promotion of an officer, stating that due process was followed and prior approval for the investigation had already been granted.
D B Natesh is the Chief Executive Officer of the Karnataka State Khadi and Village Industries Board. He had also served as the Commissioner of the Mysuru Urban Development Authority.
Krishna also lodged a complaint with the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax Department on Wednesday, alleging the exchange of a large sum of cash in Mysuru. He also shared a photograph of the vehicle used in the cash transaction.
In a communication, the office of Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh said that Krishna had objected to Natesh's promotion, citing a case registered under Section 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
"The allegations made in your complaint are baseless," the government said.
Responding to the contention that prior approval under Section 17(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act had not been granted, the government said that the proposal submitted by the Karnataka Lokayukta seeking approval to investigate Natesh was examined and approval was accorded.
"The Government examined the matter and accorded prior approval on November 11, 2024, for investigation/inquiry under Section 17(A)," the clarification stated.
The letter further noted that the reports of the Technical Committee dated November 13, 2023, and that of retired Judge Justice P N Desai were placed before the Cabinet meeting held on September 4, 2025.
"The Cabinet approved the said reports and the matter has been forwarded to the Urban Development Department for further action accordingly," it said.
In response to the question of promotion despite the Lokayukta communication dated October 1, 2024, the government maintained that due procedure was followed.
"Promotion was granted in accordance with the applicable rules governing the consideration of Government servants for promotion. Hence, the information sought in this regard is not relevant," it said.
Addressing the demand for the immediate suspension of the officer, the clarification stated that prior approval for the investigation had been granted and that suspension was not warranted under service rules.
"As no grounds existed under Rule 10 of the Karnataka Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1957, the officer has not been placed under suspension," it said.
Rejecting allegations that the government was protecting the officer or that bribes amounting to crores of rupees had been paid, the letter said: "The allegations are baseless and unsupported by documentary evidence. No substantiating material has been provided to the Government."
It added that if supporting evidence is produced, it would be examined in accordance with law and appropriate action taken.
"These are false and frivolous allegations. Appropriate action will be taken against such unsubstantiated claims," the government said.
Krishna was the complainant in the MUDA land allotment case, where he had alleged the involvement of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his wife Parvathi B M, her brother Mallikarjuna Swamy, and others.
The Lokayukta police, which probed the matter against Siddaramaiah, submitted a closure report. The Special Court to try public representatives accepted the closure report, providing a relief to the Chief Minister, his wife, and his brother-in-law.