CID appoints third IO to probe Karnataka Bhovi corporation scam

Bengaluru: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has appointed a new investigating officer (IO) to probe the alleged scam in the Karnataka Bhovi Development Corporation, according to a well-placed source. 

Deputy Superintendent of Police P Tanveer is the third IO to be appointed to investigate the scam that occurred in 2021-22. The previous IO, Kanakalakshmi, was eased out over accusations of torturing a suspect. Jeeva, the suspect, died by suicide after attending a CID probe. 

Kanakalakshmi was appointed after her predecessor CD Nagesh was suspended over sluggish progress in the investigation. 

The scam involved bureaucrats and middlemen swindling large shares of loans under a job scheme for Bhovi community members.

Three FIRs were filed — one each in Siddapura, Doddaballapur, and Kalagi (Kalaburagi) police stations — which were subsequently transferred to the CID in 2023.