“The spectre of corruption once raised, on the basis of material placed on record, cannot be summarily extinguished at the threshold,” stated Justice M Nagaprasanna, as the Karnataka High Court paved the way for the prosecution of IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri.
The court’s directive comes in light of allegations surrounding the procurement of eco-friendly bags, which reportedly incurred a staggering loss of Rs 7.5 crore to the state government. Sindhuri, who served as the deputy commissioner of Mysuru and was also the Managing Director of the Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation, is at the center of this controversy.
In 2021, the state government purchased over 14 lakh eco-friendly cloth bags at a price of Rs 52 each, while the market price stood at just Rs 13. This discrepancy raised eyebrows and led to a formal complaint filed by NR Ravinchandre Gowda, a lawyer and social activist from Mysuru.
Initially, the state government denied permission for prosecution under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which aims to protect public servants from frivolous complaints. However, the court emphasized that serious allegations of corruption must be thoroughly investigated and cannot be dismissed without inquiry.
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Justice M Nagaprasanna further clarified, “Departmental proceedings and criminal prosecution operate in distinct spheres, governed by distinct standards of proof and objectives.” This statement underscores the need for a clear distinction between internal departmental investigations and criminal charges.
Moreover, the court criticized the government’s initial reluctance to review the matter adequately, reiterating the necessity for a proper investigation into the allegations. “Section 17A should not be used to block serious investigations, it is only meant to stop false complaints,” Justice Nagaprasanna added, highlighting the importance of accountability in public service.
Rohini Sindhuri, a senior officer from the 2009 IAS batch of the Karnataka cadre, has been embroiled in public disputes, notably with IPS officer D. Roopa earlier this year. The ongoing case regarding the eco-friendly bags could further complicate her professional standing.
As the situation develops, the Karnataka High Court has ordered the state government to grant permission for the Lokayukta police to file an FIR against Sindhuri, marking a significant step in the pursuit of accountability in public administration.
