T.H. VISHWANATH Vs. BANGALORE METROPOLITAN TASK FORCE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In all these petitions, the petitioners have challenged the notices issued by the respondent, the Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF). These notices require the petitioners to produce documents regarding the alleged misappropriation of funds entrusted to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for the development of legislative assembly constituencies across Bengaluru.

(2.) The learned counsel for the petitioners argues that the BMTF has summoned the petitioners for investigation without first registering a First Information Report (FIR), which he claims exceeds their authority. He further contends that the BMTF was established to detect and investigate the commission of specific offences, as outlined in the Government Order dtd. 19/3/1996, followed by the notification dtd. 2/2/2013. Therefore, according to the petitioners, the impugned notices issued by the BMTF lack legal authority.

(3.) The learned High Court Government Pleader for the respondent, the State, counters that the BMTF is authorized to investigate the current case, as detailed in the Government Order dtd. 19/3/1996. Hence, the respondent argues that the petitioners' contention that the BMTF's notices lack authority is unfounded.