BJP Seeks forensic probe over fake CMO letter

A day after Karnataka Police registered a case over the circulation of a fake note purportedly issued from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar on Saturday intensified his attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah , demanding a forensic probe into the document and questioning the functioning of the CMO.

Police registered the case on Friday against an unidentified person following a complaint from the CMO alleging that a forged official note was circulated on social media. The document, drafted on a letterhead resembling that of the CMO and carrying a scanned signature of the Chief Minister, falsely claimed that a district health and family welfare officer in Mandya had been appointed as the Deputy Commissioner of Excise in Mysuru. The note reportedly did not carry a date or official dispatch number, raising suspicions about its authenticity.

According to officials, screenshots of the fake note were widely shared across WhatsApp groups, X (formerly Twitter) and other social media platforms, particularly among political circles and government employees, before the CMO issued a clarification terming it fake. The case was lodged at the Vidhana Soudha police station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) dealing with forgery, impersonation and the use of forged documents.

The CMO has alleged that the act was carried out with malicious intent to discredit the Chief Minister and the Congress-led government in the state. Police sources said a preliminary investigation is under way to trace the origin of the document, including the digital trail of the first uploads and forwards. Cybercrime experts are examining metadata and social media accounts that initially circulated the note. While no arrests have been made so far, officials said individuals with access to government formats or previous administrative documents could be among the suspects, with political mischief or an attempt to create administrative confusion being probed as possible motives.

Reacting to the case, Kumar questioned administrative oversight within the CMO. In a post on X, the Karkala MLA said that if a letter bearing the Chief Minister’s signature itself turned out to be fake, it reflected poorly on the functioning of the Chief Minister’s Office. He alleged that the controversy raised serious questions about internal controls and claimed that Siddaramaiah was more focused on retaining power than on governance.

Demanding a forensic examination, Kumar said the signature on the document should be sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) to establish whether it was genuine or forged. He further alleged that the episode could indicate a larger “letterhead scam” operating within the CMO. The BJP legislator also questioned why the letter was allegedly signed without a date, who facilitated the signing, and what benefit was derived from it, arguing that a comprehensive probe was necessary to answer these questions.

Kumar said he had cited the letter earlier believing it to be genuine and maintained that, as a public representative, he had relied on what appeared to be an official communication to highlight administrative lapses. He added that those declaring the letter fake also had a responsibility to ensure a thorough investigation, given that it carried the Chief Minister’s signature.

Political reactions to the incident have been sharp. BJP leaders termed the episode a serious administrative lapse and demanded accountability, while Congress leaders accused the Opposition of amplifying unverified content for political gain and attempting to malign the government. Some leaders from other parties called for restraint and urged a professional investigation to establish the facts.

Officials pointed out that similar incidents involving forged government letters and fake transfer orders have surfaced in the past in Karnataka and other states, often aimed at misleading officials or creating political embarrassment. In such cases, police have invoked forgery and cheating provisions, which can attract imprisonment and fines under the law.

In his response on Friday, Siddaramaiah described the creation and circulation of the fake note as a highly condemnable and serious offence. He urged social media users to verify information before sharing it, warning that in an era of Photoshop and artificial intelligence, the spread of unverified or fabricated content could also amount to a criminal offence.

The state government has indicated that it will review administrative safeguards, including stricter controls on official letterheads, digital signatures and document authentication mechanisms, to prevent misuse and ensure that only verified communications are circulated in the public domain.