Bengaluru police have arrested a 45-year-old man accused of using forged Lokayukta complaints to extort money from forest officers.
Who Was Arrested in the Case?
The accused, identified as B Murali, is a resident of Kolar who claims to be a farmer. Police arrested him on Monday for allegedly impersonating a Lokayukta official and threatening Forest Department officers with fabricated corruption complaints. According to police, Murali primarily targeted Forest Department personnel by misusing official complaint formats and documents associated with the Lokayukta.
Investigators have identified at least three Forest Department officers who were allegedly targeted through the scheme. Police suspect that similar methods may have been used against other government officials.
How Did the Accused Allegedly Extort Money?
Police said Murali obtained genuine Lokayukta complaint formats, including affidavit templates, and altered the names and details of existing complaints.
He allegedly prepared documents suggesting that corruption cases had been registered against particular officers, although no such complaints existed. These fabricated documents were then sent to the officers’ addresses along with correspondence designed to appear official.
After sending the documents, Murali allegedly contacted the officers and offered to settle or withdraw the supposed complaints in exchange for payments ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹50,000. Police said the accused used the threat of corruption proceedings to pressure officials into making payments.
How Was the Alleged Fraud Discovered?
The matter came to light when a Forest Department officer who received one of the purported complaints approached the Lokayukta to verify its authenticity. The Lokayukta confirmed that no corresponding complaint existed in its records.
Police subsequently examined the alleged misuse of complaint formats and the manner in which the documents had been altered to target government officials. During Murali’s arrest, investigators recovered a fake Forest Department identity card, which he allegedly used to establish authority while interacting with officials.
The recovered identity card and fabricated complaint documents form part of the investigation into the alleged impersonation and extortion.
What Are Police Investigating Now?
Investigators are examining bank transactions linked to the alleged extortion payments. Police believe the accounts used to receive money may be registered in another person’s name.
A notice has been served on the account holder, seeking further questioning about their relationship with Murali and any possible involvement in the transactions. Police are also examining whether the accused used the same method to threaten officials beyond the Forest Department.
The investigation remains focused on identifying additional victims, tracing the payments and establishing whether other individuals participated in the alleged activities.
The420 Insight
The case illustrates how fabricated official complaints and false identity documents can be used to pressure public officials into making payments. The officer’s decision to verify the complaint directly with the Lokayukta exposed the alleged deception, highlighting the importance of checking the authenticity of threatening official correspondence before responding to financial demands.
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