Karnataka CMO Declares BJP's Transfer Letter Fake, Orders Police Probe
The office of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has officially declared that a letter circulated by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionaries, which claimed the transfer of a Mandya district health officer to the excise department, is completely fake and holds no official validity whatsoever. In a strong response, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) has ordered a police investigation into the issue to uncover the origins of this fraudulent document.
BJP Leaders Accuse Government of Irregular Transfers
Opposition leader R Ashoka, along with senior BJP MLAs S Suresh Kumar and Sunil Kumar, had posted the alleged letter on various social media platforms. In their posts, they accused the Siddaramaiah-led government of engaging in irregular and questionable transfer practices. Sunil Kumar specifically alleged in his social media post that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had "personally ordered" the transfer of Dr K Mohan, the Mandya district health and family welfare officer, to the position of deputy commissioner of excise in Mysuru rural district.
Sunil Kumar further claimed that this purported transfer move blatantly violated established cadre rules, suggesting improper administrative procedures. The BJP leaders used this incident to criticize the government's handling of personnel matters, particularly in sensitive departments.
CMO Exposes Fake Letter Details
In an official statement released to clarify the situation, the CMO provided detailed evidence exposing the fraudulent nature of the circulated note. The statement revealed that the note regarding Dr Mohan, which was being widely shared on social media platforms, carried no official reference number or date, making it immediately suspect from an administrative standpoint.
More importantly, the CMO confirmed that this note was not registered in the CMO's e-office system, which is the standard digital platform for all official communications and orders. The office emphasized that the note had not been forwarded to any government department for action, and crucially, no transfer or posting order had been issued for Dr Mohan or any similar personnel change.
Police Investigation Ordered
In response to this incident, Arun Purtado, the joint secretary (administration) at the CMO, has directed the Vidhana Soudha police to launch a thorough investigation into the matter. The police have been instructed to identify the source of the fake letter and take appropriate legal action against those responsible for creating and circulating fraudulent government documents.
This move underscores the government's seriousness in addressing what it considers to be malicious attempts to spread misinformation and undermine administrative processes through fabricated documents.
Broader Political Context and Allegations
The fake letter controversy occurs within a broader political context where the BJP has been leveling serious allegations against the Karnataka government. Opposition leader R Ashoka, while sharing the purported order on social media platform X, questioned the logic of appointing a medical professional to the revenue-focused excise department, especially amid existing doctor shortages in the state's healthcare system.
Ashoka also alleged connections between Dr Mohan and Agriculture Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy, though these claims remain unverified. He described the situation as part of a larger "transfer racket" and alleged that practices involving commissions and bribes were rampant within the excise department. Ashoka further criticized pending recruitment in the health department, claiming it was negatively affecting patient care across Karnataka.
In a pointed political remark, Ashoka commented: "In Parliament, Rahul Gandhi delivers performance daily by waving certain files, sweeping and wild allegations and declaring that the nation has been sold. But when the questions are about Karnataka, the performance stops."
Ongoing Excise Scam Allegations
This incident adds to the ongoing political tensions between the ruling party and opposition in Karnataka. The BJP has been consistently accusing the government of a "Rs 5,000–6,000 crore excise scam" and has repeatedly demanded the resignation of Excise Minister RB Timmapur over these allegations.
The opposition party has also released purported audio clips that they claim are linked to the case and has filed a formal complaint with the Lokayukta, the state's anti-corruption ombudsman. These developments indicate that the fake letter controversy is part of a larger political battle over governance and transparency in Karnataka's administration.
The police investigation ordered by the CMO is expected to proceed independently, while political observers anticipate continued exchanges between the government and opposition over administrative integrity and alleged malpractices in various departments.
