N. MAHESH BABU Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In the instant writ petition, the petitioner has assailed the order dated 04.11.2019 passed in Application No.7608/ 2018 ( Annexure- A) and the order dated 02 .09.2020 passed in Review Application No.67/ 2019 ( Annexure- B) by the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal, Bengaluru ( for short "the Tribunal ").

(2.) The petitioner while working as Office Assistant in the year 2008- 2010 involved in the alleged violation of Rule 20( 1) of the Karnataka Land Grant Rules, 1969 ( for short " the Rules, 1969 ") in a file, such violation is in the guise of alleged corruption, which was published in the local newspaper on 31.12.2010. The Office of the Karnataka Lokayukta taking note of the news item in the paper publication dated 31.12.2010 and ordered for technical report from its technical wing. Technical report submitted to the office of Karnataka Lokayukta on 29.07.2011 in which there were allegations against 14 officers of the various Departments. On receipt of the technical report, Office of the Karnataka Lokayukta identified 5 officers alleged to have committed misdeed, as it is evident from the report under Section 12(3) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, dated 13 .10.2014. The aforesaid report was forwarded to the State Government. The State Government/ DPAR proceeded to initiate the enquiry against the petitioner alone, as is evident from the Government Order dated 15.10.2018. Pursuant to the order of the DPAR dated 15.10 .2018, The Additional Registrar of Karnataka Lokayukta initiated disciplinary proceedings by issuing Articles of Charges against the petitioner. The alleged charge is as under:

(3.) Thus, the petitioner feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the order of the Government dated 15.10.2018 and initiation of enquiry dated 13.12.2018, filed application No.7608/ 2018 before the Tribunal. The Tribunal rejected the petitioner ' s application. Consequently petitioner filed review application No.67/2019 and it was rejected. Hence, the present petition is filed challenging the order of the Tribunal dated 04.11 .2019 passed in Application No.7608/ 2018 ( Annexure- A) and the order dated 02.09.2020 passed in Review Application No.67/ 2019 (Annexure-B).