Karnataka Lokayukta sought money from IAS, IPS officers to prevent raids: Sources

The Karnataka Lokayukta corruption scandal is getting murkier with revelations that as many as 150 officials were targeted by the anti-graft body.

According to sources, several senior IAS and IPS officers were also asked for money by the Lokayukta to prevent raids. The extortion calls to the officers were made from six to seven different numbers.

An FIR in the case was registered after Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Bhaskar Rao's phone records were traced to the Lokayukta office.

Justice Rao’s son Ashwin was named in the FIR as the complainant identified him from his photographs in media, said sources.

FIR was filed against Ashwin by Karnataka Lokayukta SP Sonia Narang on Tuesday in the multi-crore blackmailing and extortion scam.

The FIR was filed against Ashwin Rao and others before the Karnataka High Court stayed the Upalokayukta's order asking her to investigate.

The probe was later suspended till the legal opinion is sought on whether to continue with the investigation.

While the High Court stay came around 1:30 PM, the FIR was filed in the morning, naming Ashwin and others in the extortion case.

Ashwin has been charged with extortion and under the prevention of corruption act.