Karnataka High Court Refuses To Quash FIR Against State Bar Council Chairman, Vice-Chairman For Alleged Misappropriation Of Official Funds

The Karnataka High Court has rejected the plea filed by Chairman of the State Bar Council Vishal Raghu, Vice Chairman Vinay Mangalekar and another, for quashing a FIR lodged against them for allegedly misappropriating official funds to the tune of several lakhs.

The trio is booked under Sections 37,34,120B,403,406,409,420,465,468,471,477A of the Indian Penal Code on the complaint by a Member of the Council, Senior Advocate Basavaraj S.

Detailed order is awaited.

It is alleged that the KSBC had organised a State Advocates' Convention on 12-13 August 2023 at Mysuru and Rs 3.3 crore was collected for the Convention from different sources, including Rs 1.16 crore collected as donations from Advocates and others, Rs 1 crore as contribution from the State government, and Rs 75 lakh from KSBC's own funds.

It is alleged that the accused showed that ₹3.12 crore was spent on the Convention, by using forged documents and falsified accounts, and misappropriating the funds collected for their personal use.

Senior Advocate Uday Holla, appearing for the petitioners, had submitted that the income and expenditure statement had been approved by the Council. The statement was ratified again before the Committee in October and the complainant was also present in the meeting.

The complainant appearing in person argued that he had produced tons of documents to show how the accused manufactured the bills and Rs 50 lakh was withdrawn by the Chairman and Vice-chairman and paid to Sharif furniture.

Further, he said that the complaint makes out a serious offence of forging documents and making fake bills. It was stated that several thousands of advocates' money was being swindled.

Case Title: Vishal Raghu AND State of Karnataka

Case No: CRL.P 3666/2024

Citation No: 2024 LiveLaw (Kar) 416