Daijiworld Media Network - Vijayapura

Vijayapura, March 4: A Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) in Karnataka has lodged a police complaint after unknown individuals illegally accessed his official login credentials and fraudulently approved private school recognitions and renewals.

The incident came to light in Vijayapura district between November 16, 2025 and January 19, according to authorities. Salimath Veerayya, 52, DDPI, Department of School Education, Vijayapura, filed a First Information Report (FIR) with the Vijayapura CEN Crime police station on February 25.

Using the stolen credentials, the accused carried out 58 unauthorised transactions involving recognition and renewal of primary and secondary schools, including approvals linked to first recognition processes — all without the knowledge of the complainant, the police said.

Veerayya, who was officially authorised to access the department’s online portal and digital systems via his designated login credentials on the Karnataka School Education Department website, said he had no role in the approvals. The police added that unknown individuals had illegally obtained and misused his login details to access government digital systems.

“We suspect that someone within the department who is aware of the credentials has done it rather than a hacker’s involvement,” a police officer stated.

Veerayya expressed concern over the fraudulent activities, saying they had caused serious administrative irregularities and compromised the integrity and security of the government’s online systems.

A case has been registered under Sections 316, 318, 336, 338, 340, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alongside Sections 43, 66, 66(C), and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.