Deputy Director of Mines and Geology Krishnaveni suspended by Karnataka government over bribe charge

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 23, 2025: The State government has suspended Krishnaveni, Deputy Director of Department of Mines and Geology, Dakshina Kannada, who was arrested by Lokayukta police here on May 28, 2025 on the charge of accepting bribe of ₹50,000.

In the order on June 21, Under Secretary (Mines-2), Commerce and Industries Department, H.M. Manjunath, said Krishnaveni was suspnded, pending departmental inquiry, with effect from May 28.  

The Lokayukta police said she was caught accepting bribe of ₹50,000 through department’s driver Madhu. This was related to granting permission for levelling 0.35 acres of 1.39 acres of land in Ira village of Ullal Taluk. Krishanveni had asked R. Pradeep Kumar, the first division assistant in her office, to take ₹50,000 from the applicant for signing on the file.  

Apart from Krishnaveni, the Lokayukta police arrested Pradeep Kumar and Madhu. Krishaveni was released from Mangaluru prison on June 16.  

Director of Mines and Geology ordered suspension of Pradeep Kumar with effect from May 31. He wrote to the government for suspending Krishnaveni as she was in prison for more than 48 hours since her arrest. He quoted Rule 10(2) of Karnataka Civil Services (Classification Control and Appeal) Rules 1957, which states that an official will be deemed to be under suspension by the order of appointing authority with effect from the date for detention if the period of detention was beyond 48 hours.  

Meanwhile, Ms. Krishnaveni filed a writ petition seeking quashing of the case against her. She also sought an interim relief of stay of investigation of the case and direction to government not to make any alteration in the service conditions. The High Court on June 13 granted stay and directed government not to alter service conditions till next date of hearing.  

In the June 21 order, the Under Secretary said placing the officer under suspension was as per rules and it will not be alteration to service conditions.