DYSP Kanaka Lakshmi granted bail by high court

Bengaluru ;  The Karnataka High Court has granted bail to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) B.M. Kanakalakshmi in connection with the alleged multi-crore scam involving the Bhovi Development Corporation, following the suicide case of advocate Jeeva. Jeeva, who was a key figure in the Bhovi scam investigation, took her own life on November 22, 2024, at her residence in Raghavendra Layout, Banashankari.

Jeeva had reportedly alleged harassment by Kanakalakshmi during the inquiry. Following her suicide, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) prepared a final report, consisting of 2,300 pages, which was submitted to the High Court. Kanakalakshmi was arrested by the SIT on March 11, and Justice S. Vishwajit Shetty's bench has now issued a bail order for her.

The report submitted by the SIT included witness statements and video evidence, establishing that DySP Kanakalakshmi had harassed and intimidated Jeeva. The High Court had directed the investigation to be completed and a report filed by December.

Advocate Jeeva committed suicide in the jurisdiction of Banashankari police station on November 22. She accused DySP Kanakalakshmi of harassment, and in her suicide note, which spanned 13 pages, she detailed the harassment she allegedly faced from Kanakalakshmi. The case has generated significant public attention.

The case was transferred from the Banashankari police to the SIT, which later included CBI officials as part of the investigation team. Following the arrest and questioning of Kanakalakshmi on March 11, the SIT completed its inquiry and submitted the final report on April 14.

During the investigation of Jeeva, some videos recorded during her questioning were deleted. However, videos proving her allegations, which had gone missing, were recovered through forensic analysis. Many of the claims made in Jeeva's suicide note were substantiated.