Bengaluru’s Vidhana Soudha police have arrested a man accused of impersonating the personal secretary of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. On Tuesday, Shrishail Jakkannavar, a 40-year-old resident of Dharwad, was apprehended for allegedly using a counterfeit ID card that falsely claimed he held the position of personal secretary to the Chief Minister.
The incident came to light on 5 August when Arun Furtando, the deputy secretary to CM Siddaramaiah, discovered that an individual had been presenting a fake ID card and asserting himself as the personal secretary of the Chief Minister. The fraudulent ID card, which was later confiscated by the police, indicated it was valid until January 2025.
The accused was caught trying to enter Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the Karnataka Legislature, by showing the counterfeit ID card at the entrance gate. During the questioning, Jakkannavar maintained that he worked in the Chief Minister’s office, but investigations revealed there is no such position as personal secretary within the office of CM Siddaramaiah.
The police are currently investigating the extent of Jakkannavar’s misuse of the fake ID card, though no specific cases or complaints have yet been filed against him. The arrest has highlighted the ongoing issues with impersonation and fraudulent activities in high-profile government offices.
This incident echoes a similar case from last year when Thipperudrappa, a 72-year-old man, managed to gain entry into the Assembly Hall of Vidhana Soudha by falsely claiming to be the Molakalmuru MLA. He even attended a budget presentation by CM Siddaramaiah. Thipperudrappa’s presence in the Assembly was first spotted by Janata Dal (Secular) MLA Sharana Gowda Kandakur, who noticed him sitting in a seat reserved for another legislator. This led to his arrest by the marshals.
As investigations into Jakkannavar’s activities continue, the Vidhana Soudha police are reinforcing security measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of stringent verification processes to safeguard against impersonation and fraud in sensitive government institutions.