HC imposes cost of Rs one lakh on Karnataka govt

Bengaluru: Coming down heavily on the Karnataka government for its “lethargic attitude” for failing to make efforts to obtain sanction to prosecute a former chief secretary, the High Court imposed a fine of Rs one lakh on it.

The government pleader had sought six weeks’ time to get sanction for prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act on April 20, 2022, and the court had granted six weeks. In its recent daily order, the HC said “It appears that the government is not interested in pursuing the matter and protecting the property of the State, which is at the hands of the former Chief Secretary. Hence, the very attitude of the State has to be deprecated and till date even not processed the papers for getting sanction from DOPT (Department of Personnel and Training) and yet to send the papers.”

Hence, the HC imposed the cost of Rs one lakh on the government which has to be paid in one week. “The state government is directed to deposit the fine amount and recover the same from the concerned, who have not taken any action in getting the sanction from the DOPT in sending papers in spite of six weeks time being granted.” The complaint was filed by Bhaskaran alleging Arvind Jadhav, then Chief Secretary, misused power to create fake documents pertaining to government land in Ramanayakanahalli in Anekal.