JAGANNATH Vs. KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition takes exception to the report dtd. 6/10/2016 passed by respondent No.1/Lokayukta, whereby report under Sec. 12(3) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984 (for short, 'the Act, 1984') was submitted by respondent No.1 to the State Government.

(2.) The material on record discloses that the petitioners are officials working in Devara Shigihalli Grama Panchayat as PDO, Clerk and Computer Operator.

(3.) It is seen that on 31/1/2013, one Hanumant Mundinamani filed a complaint before respondent No.1/Lokayukta alleging that the petitioners had committed certain irregularities in the allotment process under the Scheme called Basava Vasati Yojana and Labourer Yojana and have misappropriated the funds. In this regard, respondent No.1/Lokayukta referred the said complaint to the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat for enquiry and to submit a report. The said CEO, Zilla Panchayat, in turn, referred the said complaint to the Executive Officer, Taluka Panchayat for the purpose of conducting enquiry and after detailed enquiry, the Executive Officer submitted a report to the CEO, Zilla Panchayat stating that there were no irregularities committed by the petitioners. Based on the aforesaid report submitted by the Executive Officer, Taluka Panchayat, the CEO, Zilla Panchayat submitted a letter dtd. 16/3/2013 to respondent No.1/Lokayukta to drop the charges against the petitioners. After receipt of letter submitted by CEO, Zilla Panchayat, respondent No.1/Lokayukta by order dtd. 1/1/2014 dropped the charges and closed the proceedings against the petitioners observing that the complainant has not furnished any material to show that the beneficiaries were not eligible for the benefit under the aforesaid scheme and that there were no irregularities committed by the petitioners.