Bengaluru: Officer files cheating case over misuse of his name

Bengaluru: M Ramaiah, Joint Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, has filed a police complaint with the Central Crime Branch (CCB), alleging that his name and designation were misused to cheat people by falsely promising member posts in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC).

Based on the complaint, police have booked Jagadeesh KC and others for cheating and impersonation.

Ramaiah had initially submitted a complaint to the Bengaluru police commissioner on September 4. Following a preliminary inquiry and after obtaining permission from the police chief, an FIR was registered on Thursday.

The FIR stated that a senior journalist had approached Ramaiah’s office on September 3, alleging that Jagadeesh had been using the identities of senior government officials, including Ramaiah, to gain the trust of victims.

The accused allegedly approached Venkatesh Muttannanavar, an associate professor at a private college in Mysuru, and promised to make him a member in the KPSC.

He collected large sums of money through cash and bank transfers from several individuals between September 2023 and April 2025. He allegedly used the joint secretary’s name and designation to lend credibility to his claims.

Speaking to DH, Ramaiah said, "Jagadeesh had collected Rs 70 lakh from Professor Muttannanavar. I approached the police and sought action against the accused. I came to know that over Rs 3 crore had been collected from various people by promising KPSC member posts,” he said.

Police said further investigation is underway to identify other victims and track the money trail, the police added.