Sun Apr 13 13:56:03 UTC 2025: ## Police Officer Indicted in Advocate’s Death Following Botched Investigation
**Bengaluru, April 13, 2025** – A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has indicted Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Kanakalakshmi of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly mishandling the investigation into the Bhovi Corporation scam, leading to the suicide of an accused advocate, Jeeva. The report, submitted to the High Court, revealed significant lapses in the investigation, including the destruction of evidence and falsification of records.
Jeeva, who died on November 21, 2024, left a 13-page suicide note accusing Kanakalakshmi of misconduct, including forcing her to strip during interrogation, mental harassment, and demanding a ₹25 lakh bribe. Ten days prior to her death, Jeeva filed a complaint with the High Court detailing these allegations.
The High Court, reacting strongly to Jeeva’s death, formed the SIT – comprising officials from the CBI and state police – to investigate. The SIT’s probe, according to sources, corroborated most of Jeeva’s allegations (excluding corruption claims). The investigation reportedly found that crucial evidence, including CCTV footage, was not properly maintained despite a High Court order. Kanakalakshmi is accused of tampering with records and creating false documents. Furthermore, the video and voice recordings of the interrogation were found to be improperly handled, requiring forensic analysis.
Based on the SIT’s findings, Kanakalakshmi was arrested on March 11. The SIT is now awaiting government sanction to file a chargesheet against her. The High Court commended the SIT for the thoroughness of its investigation, emphasizing that this praise pertains to the conduct of the investigation itself, not necessarily the original investigation’s merits.
First Piper 