RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna arrested over alleged fake audio in MUDA-linked row
Bengaluru: The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna in connection with a case involving the alleged creation and circulation of a fake audio clip and fabricated documents targeting a senior government official.
The arrest follows a complaint filed by former MUDA Commissioner D.B. Natesh, a senior KAS officer, who accused Krishna of spreading defamatory content on social media. According to the complaint, Krishna allegedly created and uploaded an audio clip and related documents on his Facebook account, claiming that Natesh had paid ₹1.60 crore as a bribe to Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajaneesh to secure a promotion.
Denying the allegations, Natesh approached Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh and lodged a formal complaint. Based on this, the Bengaluru City Cyber Crime Police registered an FIR on February 18, 2026, under Sections 335, 336 and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, which deal with impersonation and cheating using computer resources.
CCB officials initially took Krishna into custody for questioning. After detailed interrogation and preliminary examination of digital evidence, he was formally arrested. Investigators collected technical and electronic evidence from social media platforms and examined the authenticity of the audio clip that was circulated online.
A senior CCB officer said the investigation is focused on establishing the origin of the audio file and verifying whether it was digitally manipulated. “We have gathered digital evidence and are conducting a forensic examination of the material uploaded on social media. Further investigation is under way,” the officer said.
The CCB also secured a search warrant from the jurisdictional court and conducted a raid at Krishna’s residence in Mysuru. During the search, officials examined electronic devices and documents believed to be connected to the case.
The controversy erupted after Krishna publicly alleged that Natesh had paid a bribe to the Chief Secretary to obtain a promotion, triggering political debate and media attention. Police officials said the case is being investigated as a cybercrime involving alleged fabrication and online dissemination of defamatory content.
Further legal proceedings are expected as the probe continues.
