Bengaluru viral post accuses officials of extortion after daughter's death

Post by : Raina Nasser

Bengaluru – A LinkedIn message from K Sivakumar, a former Chief Financial Officer at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), alleging routine demands for cash payments after the death of his only daughter has triggered wide public anger and scrutiny of city agencies. The account details alleged obstruction and bribery while the family attempted to complete mandatory formalities following the death on September 18, 2025.

The deceased, 34-year-old Akshaya, held a B.Tech in Computer Science and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. She had over a decade of professional experience, including eight years with Goldman Sachs, and died at home from a brain hemorrhage, leaving relatives shocked and bereaved.

In his post, Sivakumar set out instances where officials and service providers demanded cash at multiple stages: an ambulance driver who sought Rs 3,000 to convey the body from Kasavanahalli to St. John’s Hospital in Koramangala; officers at the police station who allegedly required payment to supply FIR and post-mortem copies; and staff at the crematorium and municipal offices who also pressed for money.

He criticized the apparent lack of empathy among officials dealing with grieving family members and questioned their conduct during an emotionally fraught period. Sivakumar further alleged that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) delayed issuing the death certificate for five days under the pretext of a “caste survey” and ultimately charged more than the sanctioned fee.

In a public appeal, Sivakumar urged prominent philanthropists, naming Narayana Murthy, Azim Premji and Mazumdar, to take notice and help rectify the situation. His original post, which was subsequently removed, quickly circulated online and drew strong public reaction.

Following the uproar, the Whitefield Police announced the suspension of one PSI and one constable attached to Bellandur Police Station. The department said in a statement: "The Police Department will not tolerate any such indecent or inappropriate behaviour under any circumstances."

Political voices also entered the debate. Malavika Avinash, vice president of BJP Karnataka, expressed sympathy for Sivakumar and faulted the state administration for what she termed a "defunct system." She called on Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and the Urban Development Minister to explain why the father faced harassment and why the LinkedIn post was removed.

The episode has reignited public concern over corruption and bureaucratic insensitivity in Bengaluru, prompting demands for a thorough inquiry and better oversight of municipal and police procedures affecting bereaved families.

Observers say the case underscores persistent challenges in public service delivery and the need for stronger accountability mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authorities have not released details of any ongoing probe into the allegations beyond the initial suspensions, while civic groups and opposition leaders continue to press for transparent investigations and remedial action.