BENGALURU: The arrest of RTI activist Snehamayi Krishna by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) has triggered sharp political reactions, with the BJP launching a scathing attack on the Congress-led state government and accusing it of misusing the police machinery to silence dissent.
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka condemned the arrest, terming it the “height of misgovernance” and alleging that the government had created an atmosphere akin to the Emergency in Karnataka.
Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, Ashoka said, “The arrest of Snehamayi Krishna is the ultimate example of administrative failure. This government has brought an Emergency-like situation to Karnataka.”
He claimed that Krishna had been actively raising issues related to the MUDA case and questioning alleged irregularities. “Snehamayi Krishna fought against the MUDA case. We too undertook a padyatra on the issue. The government could not tolerate this. That is why they have arrested a person who is fighting for justice through the courts,” Ashoka alleged.
Accusing the ruling dispensation of acting against democratic principles, he said, “This government is behaving in complete violation of Gandhian ideals. It is trying to throttle justice and silence those who question it. This is nothing but an attempt to crush the voice of dissent.”
The BJP leader further said that targeting activists would not deter the opposition from continuing its protest. “We will continue our democratic and legal fight. Arresting activists will not stop the truth from coming out,” he added.
Why was Snehamayi Krishna arrested?
The arrest follows a complaint lodged by former MUDA Commissioner D.B. Natesh, a senior KAS officer. Krishna had recently made serious allegations against Natesh, claiming that he had paid ₹1.60 crore to Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajaneesh to secure a promotion.
Denying the allegations, Natesh filed a complaint with Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, accusing Krishna of creating a fake audio clip and circulating it on social media to defame him.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered at the Bengaluru City Cyber Crime Police Station under Sections 335, 336 and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act.
Initially, Krishna was taken into custody for questioning by the CCB’s cybercrime wing. After sustained interrogation, he was formally arrested. The CCB also obtained a search warrant from a court and conducted a raid at Krishna’s residence in Mysuru, where documents and electronic devices were reportedly examined as part of the investigation.
CCB press statement
In a press release, the CCB said that the case was registered on February 18, 2026, based on the complaint filed by D.B. Natesh. It alleged that Krishna had used his Facebook account to upload fabricated documents, photographs and an audio clip targeting the complainant and spreading misinformation.
Investigators collected digital evidence from the complainant as well as from social media platforms and examined the authenticity of the audio clip. “After obtaining a search warrant from the jurisdictional court, a search was conducted at the accused’s residence in Mysuru in connection with the case,” the release stated.
The CCB added that Krishna had been served notice and directed to appear before the Cyber Crime Police Station for questioning, following which he was arrested as part of the ongoing probe.
Political flashpoint
The arrest has now escalated into a political flashpoint, with the BJP alleging vendetta politics and suppression of whistleblowers. Senior party leaders indicated that the issue would be raised both inside and outside the Assembly.
As the investigation continues, the case is set to intensify the confrontation between the opposition and the state government, particularly over allegations surrounding the MUDA case and the broader question of accountability and freedom of expression in Karnataka.
