G. B. DEVARAJ Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners, in this writ petition, have called in question the order of the second respondent-Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the 'Corporation' for short) dated 29.10.2018 entrusting the conduct of a departmental enquiry against the petitioners to the hands of the third respondent-Lokayukta and the consequent action of the fourth respondent issuing articles of charge pursuant to the said entrustment.

(2.) Shorn of unnecessary details, the facts that are germane for consideration of the lis briefly stated are as follows: Petitioners 1 and 2 are working in the cadre of Executive Engineer and petitioner No.3 in the cadre of Assistant Executive Engineer in the Corporation. On a complaint made against the petitioners concerning construction of a building, a report under Section 12(3) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984 (hereinafter referred to as the 'said Act' for short) was furnished to the hands of the Government and the first respondent-Government in turn referred the report to the second respondent Corporation. The second respondent-Managing Director of the Corporation entrusted the enquiry to be conducted by the Lokayukta in answer to the report under Section 12(3) of the Act and the reference made by the Government exercising its power under Section 12(4) of the said Act. Pursuant to such entrustment, fourth respondent is nominated as the Inquiry Officer who issues Articles of Charges against the petitioners. It is the aforesaid orders that are called in question by the petitioners in this petition.

(3.) Heard Sri.Vijaya Kumar, learned counsel appearing for petitioners, Sri.R.Srinivasa Gowda, learned Additional Government Advocate for respondent No.1, Sri.Pavan Kumar, learned counsel for Sri.H.Devendrappa, learned counsel for respondent No.2 and Sri.Venkatesh Arabatti, learned counsel for respondent Nos.3 and 4.