“The spectre of corruption once raised, on the basis of material placed on record, cannot be summarily extinguished at the threshold,” declared Justice M Nagaprasanna of the Karnataka High Court, setting the stage for a significant legal battle involving IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri.
The court’s ruling comes in the wake of allegations surrounding the procurement of over 14 lakh eco-friendly cloth bags, which were purchased at a staggering Rs 52 each, despite the market price being only Rs 13. This discrepancy has led to claims of a Rs 7.5 crore loss to the state government, a figure that has raised eyebrows and prompted further scrutiny.
Rohini Sindhuri, who served as the deputy commissioner of Mysuru and was also the Managing Director of the Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation at the time of the procurement in 2021, now finds herself at the center of a corruption investigation. The complaint was filed by NR Ravinchandre Gowda, a lawyer and social activist from Mysuru, who alleged that the inflated prices paid for the bags resulted in significant financial losses for the state.
Initially, the state government declined to grant permission for prosecution under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, citing the need for further review. However, the High Court criticized this decision, emphasizing that corruption allegations must be thoroughly investigated and cannot simply be dismissed without inquiry.
Justice M Nagaprasanna further elaborated, stating, “Departmental proceedings and criminal prosecution operate in distinct spheres, governed by distinct standards of proof and objectives.” This statement underscores the complexity of the legal landscape surrounding corruption cases, where different legal frameworks apply.
The court’s ruling has now mandated the state government to allow the Lokayukta police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against Sindhuri, marking a pivotal moment in the case. The judge noted that Section 17A should not be used to obstruct serious investigations, clarifying that it is intended to prevent false complaints rather than shield individuals from legitimate scrutiny.
What observers say
As the case unfolds, observers are keenly watching how the legal proceedings will impact Sindhuri’s career and the broader implications for governance in Karnataka. The court’s insistence on a proper investigation reflects a growing intolerance for corruption within the state’s administrative ranks.
Rohini Sindhuri, a senior IAS officer of the 2009 batch from the Karnataka cadre, has previously been embroiled in public disputes, notably with IPS officer D. Roopa in 2023, which adds another layer of complexity to her current situation. With the Karnataka High Court’s directive, the next steps in this case will be closely monitored as it could set a precedent for how corruption allegations are handled in the future.
