Who Is IAS Lata Kumari? Hassan Deputy Commissioner Rejects HD Kumaraswamy’s ₹75 Lakh Bribery Allegations
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has alleged that Karnataka IAS officer K.S. Lata Kumari paid ₹75 lakh to retain her position as Hassan Deputy Commissioner, accusing district in-charge Minister K.M. Shivalingegowda of receiving the money. The officer has strongly denied the allegations, termed them fake news and announced a police complaint.
A political controversy has erupted in Karnataka after Union Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy levelled serious bribery allegations against IAS officer K.S. Lata Kumari, who is currently serving as Deputy Commissioner of Hassan district.
Kumaraswamy has claimed that Lata Kumari paid ₹75 lakh to secure her continuation in the post, alleging that the money was handed over to Hassan district in-charge Minister K.M. Shivalingegowda.
The allegations have triggered a political and administrative storm in the state, with the Union Minister claiming that intermediaries were operating within the district administration to facilitate alleged illegal financial transactions.Kumaraswamy made the allegations while speaking to reporters on Sunday after offering prayers at the historic Hasanamba Temple in Hassan.
However, Lata Kumari has categorically rejected the accusations, describing them as fabricated and misleading. She has also announced that a police complaint would be filed against those responsible for circulating the allegations.
What Are HD Kumaraswamy’s ₹75 Lakh Bribery Allegations?
During his interaction with the media, Kumaraswamy read out portions of a written script that he claimed contained details of WhatsApp conversations between an unidentified individual and Shashikiran, the personal assistant of Deputy Commissioner Lata Kumari.
Referring to the purported conversations, the Union Minister alleged that ₹75 lakh had been paid to district in-charge Minister K.M. Shivalingegowda to ensure that Lata Kumari continued as Hassan Deputy Commissioner. He accused the minister of being associated with an alleged corruption network and circulated copies of the purported WhatsApp exchanges to substantiate his claims.
Kumaraswamy further alleged that the Deputy Commissioner’s office was involved in collecting money from stone crusher operators and residential layout developers in exchange for official clearances.
According to his allegations, payments were sought for granting permissions and processing land-conversion applications. He also claimed that Shashikiran was collecting money through intermediaries and subsequently transferring it to Lata Kumari. The allegations, however, remain unsubstantiated, and their authenticity has yet to be established through an independent investigation.
Who Is IAS Officer K.S. Lata Kumari?
K.S. Lata Kumari is a 2012-batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre who entered the Indian Administrative Service through promotion from the State Civil Service (SCS).She holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Microbiology and has held several important administrative positions in the Karnataka government.
She is currently serving as Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate of Hassan district, having assumed charge in June 2025. Over the years, Lata Kumari has served in various departments and administrative institutions, handling responsibilities related to district governance, public welfare, healthcare and recruitment administration.
Her previous assignments include:
* Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Bengaluru Urban (August 2024 – June 2025): She headed the district-level rural development and administrative institution before her appointment as Hassan Deputy Commissioner.
* Secretary, Karnataka Public Service Commission, Bengaluru (September 2023 – August 2024): She served in the state recruitment body’s administrative leadership.
* Director, Department of Welfare of Disabled and Senior Citizens, Bengaluru (January 2022 – September 2023): She handled responsibilities concerning welfare programmes for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
* Managing Director, Karnataka State Medical Services Corporation Ltd. (April 2021 – January 2022): She was associated with the administration of the state’s medical services corporation.
* Secretary, Government of Karnataka (September 2018 – September 2019): She held a secretarial-level assignment in the state government.
* Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Kolar (April 2018 – September 2018): She also served in the district’s rural administration. Her appointment as Hassan Deputy Commissioner in June 2025 marked another significant assignment in her administrative career.
What Did IAS Officer Lata Kumari Say in Response?
Responding to Kumaraswamy’s allegations, Lata Kumari dismissed the claims as fake news and announced that a police complaint was being filed. The officer maintained that neither she nor her office had engaged in any unauthorised activities. She also clarified that if her personal assistant or any employee working in his section had exchanged inappropriate or unauthorised messages, strict action would be taken against those responsible.
Describing the circulation of false information as an unacceptable attempt to damage reputations, she alleged that such claims were intended to malign and undermine individuals.
She appealed to the public not to believe the allegations without proper verification and called for a thorough investigation into the matter.Lata Kumari further warned that individuals responsible for spreading false information through the media and among the public would be identified and held accountable.
Reiterating her position, she said that anyone found guilty of wrongdoing would face appropriate action and expressed confidence that the truth would emerge through a proper investigation.
Karnataka Political Controversy Awaits Further Investigation
The allegations have brought the functioning of the Hassan district administration under the political spotlight, with serious accusations involving an IAS officer and a state minister.
While Kumaraswamy has cited purported WhatsApp conversations as the basis for his claims, Lata Kumari has rejected the allegations and announced legal action.
The authenticity of the alleged messages, the claimed financial transactions and the involvement of the individuals named in the controversy remain to be independently established. Any conclusions regarding wrongdoing will therefore depend on the findings of the police investigation and other relevant evidence.
