The Karnataka Police have initiated a legal case following the circulation of an alleged letter, purportedly written by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to the chairman of Foxconn Technology Group, a key Apple product manufacturing partner. In this letter, Shivakumar supposedly urged the company to consider relocating from Hyderabad to Bengaluru.
Subsequent to the letter’s wide circulation, the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party in Telangana utilized a popular social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), to accuse the Karnataka government of orchestrating a “significant conspiracy against Hyderabad.” This allegation was refuted by Shivakumar.
Shortly thereafter, Rajendra Prasad M N, the personal secretary to Shivakumar, lodged a formal complaint with the Vidhana Soudha police. Rajendra Prasad asserted that the signature on the letter was a forgery, and the letterhead on which it was written was also counterfeit.
The falsified letter, dated September 25, purportedly urged the Foxconn chairman to consider relocating their proposed Apple AirPods manufacturing unit to Bengaluru. The letter stated, “On behalf of our government, I propose that you contemplate the relocation of the Apple AirPods industry, originally planned for Hyderabad, to Bangalore. This move offers various mutual advantages. It not only complements the Apple phone manufacturing industry but also capitalizes on the city’s transportation infrastructure, facilities, and available workforce. Being situated in Bangalore will also enhance your international reputation.”
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The letter continued, “Moreover, Bangalore, in comparison to Hyderabad, is renowned for its safety and boasts a well-established IT industry with a 50-year history. The city possesses superior logistical capabilities, particularly when considering previous incidents of communal unrest in Hyderabad, which could potentially pose a business risk.”
“Additionally, numerous international industries in Hyderabad have shown interest in relocating to Bengaluru. We anticipate the formation of a cooperative government in Telangana shortly, assuring you of encountering no impediments there. Therefore, it would be mutually beneficial for your affiliated industry to consider this relocation,” the letter concluded.
