Karnataka High Court Abolishes Anti-Corruption Bureau; Transfers Cases To Lok Ayukta

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday set aside the government notification issued in the year 2016, constituting the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the state and vesting with it the powers of the Karnataka Lokayukta Police to investigate corruption cases against public servants.

A division bench of Justice B Veerappa and Justice K S Hemalekha while pronouncing the order on a batch of petition filed in the year 2016, said "The State Government is not justified in creating ACB by way of an executive order when the field of investigation into corruption cases under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was covered under the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984."

Further it said,

"Since this court has quashed the impugned government order and government notification dated 19th March 2016, the Anti Corruption Bureau is abolished. But all the enquiries, investigations and other disciplinary proceedings pending before the ACB will get transferred to the Lokayukta Police."

The bench directed the state government to maintain transparency and it shall appoint a competent person as Lokayukta and Upa Lokayukta in the interest of the public.

Recently the High Court had pulled up the Anti Corruption Bureau. Justice H P Sandesh made a sensational revelation that he had received an indirect threat of transfer for passing orders against the head of Anti Corruption Bureau(ACB) Seemanth Kumar Singh ADGP, recorded the threat in a written order passed in July.

The judge had recorded in his order that he was given an indirect threat of transfer by a sitting judge during the farewell dinner function organised by the High Court to bid farewell to former Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi on July 1.

Also Read : ACB Was Constituted To Shield Corrupt Politicians, Officers From Lokayukta: Karnataka High Court

Case Title: CHIDANANDA URS B.G v THE STATE OF KARNATAKA

Case No: WP 19386/2016

Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Kar) 313

Click here to read/download the order