THE KARNTAKA LOKAYUKTA vs THE STATE OF KARNATAKA

Court
Karnataka High Court

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:57439-DB
WP No. 10924 of 2023
C/W WP No. 12558 of 2023
CNR: KAHC010253452023
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
TH
DATED THIS THE 12 DAY OF OCTOBER, 2026
PRESENT
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.G.PANDIT
AND
THE HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE CHILLAKUR SUMALATHA
WRIT PETITION NO. 10924 OF 2023 (S-KSAT)
C/W
WRIT PETITION NO. 12558 OF 2023 (S-KSAT)
IN WP No. 10924/2023:
BETWEEN:
1.
THE KARNTAKA LOKAYUKTA
REPRESENTED BY ITS REGISTRAR,
DR. B.R.AMBEDKAR VEEDHI,
BENGALURU- 560 001.
2.
THE ADDITIONAL REGISTRAR OF ENQUIRIES-II
KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA,
M.S.BUILDING,
DR. B.R.AMBEDKAR VEEDHI,
BENGALURU-560001.
…PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. KUMAR H.P., ADVOCATE FOR
Digitally signed
by AASEEFA
PARVEEN
Location: HIGH
COURT OF
KARNATAKA
SRI. VENKATESH S. ARBATTI, ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA
REPRESENTED BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
HOME DEPARTMENT,
GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA,
VIDHANA SOUDHA,
BENGALURU- 560 001.

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:57439-DB
WP No. 10924 of 2023
C/W WP No. 12558 of 2023
CNR: KAHC010253452023
2. THE DIRECTOR GENERAL AND INSPECTOR,
GENERAL OF POLICE,
NO.2, NRUPATHUNGA ROAD,
BENGALURU- 560 002.
3. SRI. AJEEJ KALADAGI
SON OF RAJE SAB,
AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS,
WIORKING AS POLICE INSPECTOR,
STATE INTELLIGENCE HEAD QUARTERS,
NRUPATHUNGA ROAD, BENGALURU- 560 002.
…RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. SANTOSH RAI C. DESHMUKA, AGA FOR R1 AND R2;
SRI/SMT. MOHANA C., ADVOCATE FOR R3)
THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF
THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF
CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION IN
THE NATURE OF A WRIT THEREBY QUASHING THE ORDER
DATED 19/11/2019 PASSED BY THE KARNATAKA
ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL AT BENGALURU IN APPLICATION
NO.1747/2018, AS PER ANNEXURE-A AND ETC.
IN WP NO. 12558/2023:
BETWEEN:
1. THE KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA
BY ITS REGISTRAR,
M. S. BUILDINGS, DR B R AMBEDKAR ROAD,
BANGALORE - 560001.
2. THE ADDITIONAL REGISTRAR OF
ENQUIRIES - II, HONBLE LOKAYUKTA
M. S. BUILDING, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI
BENGALURU - 560001
...PETITIONERS
(BY SRI. KUMAR H.D., ADVOCATE FOR SRI. VENKATESH S.
ARBATTI, ADVOCATE)

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:57439-DB
WP No. 10924 of 2023
C/W WP No. 12558 of 2023
CNR: KAHC010253452023
AND:
1. STATE OF KARNATAKA
REP BY ITS SECRETARY TO
THE DEPARTMENTAL AND PERSONAL AND
ADMINISTRATION REFORMS (SERVICE)
VIDHANA SOUDHA, BANGALORE-560001.
2. THE DIRECTOR GENERAL AND
INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE
NO 2, NRUPATHUNGA ROAD,
BANGALORE - 560001.
3. SRI NEELAPPA OLEKAR
S/O MALAPPA OLEKAR
AGED 47 YEARS,
CIRCLE POLICE INSPECTOR,
BADAMI POLICE STATION,
BADAMI, BAGALKOT DISTRICT,
R/AT POST CHINGAPUR,
HUNUGUND TALUK,
BAGALKOT DISTRICT.
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. SANTOSH RAJ C. DESHMUKA, AGA FOR R1 AND R2)
THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF
CERTIORARI OR ANY OTHER WRIT, ORDER OR DIRECTION IN
THE NATURE OF A WRIT THEREBY QUASHING THE ORDER
DATED 03/12/2018 PASSED BY THE KARNATAKA
ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL AT BANGALORE IN APPLICATION
NO.3167/2017, AS PER ANNEXURE-A AND ETC.
THESE PETITIONS COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY
HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.G.PANDIT
and
HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE CHILLAKUR SUMALATHA

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:57439-DB
WP No. 10924 of 2023
C/W WP No. 12558 of 2023
CNR: KAHC010253452023
ORAL ORDER
(PER: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.G.PANDIT)
Petitioner-Lokayukta represented by the Registrar in
both the writ petitions is before this Court questioning
order dated 19.11.2019 in Application No.1747/2018 in
Writ Petition No.10924/2023 and order dated 03.12.2018
in Application No.3167/2017 in Writ Petition
No.12558/2023, whereunder respondent No.3's
applications in both the writ petitions are allowed quashing
the order of entrustment of enquiry dated 03.08.2012 and
consequential Articles of Charge dated 06.07.2015 in Writ
Petition No.10924/2023 and quashed order of entrustment
dated 03.08.2012 and consequential Articles of Charge
dated 08.07.2015 in Writ Petition No.12558/2023.
2. Heard learned counsel Sri.Kumar H.D., for
learned counsel Sri.Venkatesh S. Arbatti, for petitioners
and learned counsel Sri.Mohan C., for respondent No.3 in
both the writ petitions. Perused the entire writ petition
papers.

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:57439-DB
WP No. 10924 of 2023
C/W WP No. 12558 of 2023
CNR: KAHC010253452023
3. In both the above writ petitions the Tribunal set
aside the entrustment of enquiry order as well as
consequential Articles of Charge placing reliance on the
order dated 28.11.2017 in Application No.8263/2015
passed by the Tribunal. The said order was the subject
matter of writ petition before this Court in Writ Petition
No.5601/2022. This Court by order dated 10.08.2026 set
aside the order of the Tribunal with a direction to the
petitioner herein to complete the enquiry. Against the said
order, the respondents therein had taken up the matter to
Hon'ble Apex Court and Hon'ble Apex Court dismissed
their SLPs, confirming the order passed by this Court. It is
submitted that in pursuance to the order of Co-ordinate
Bench of this Court the enquiries are being continued.
Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would
submit that in terms of the order dated 10.08.2026 in Writ
Petition No.5601/2022 and order dated 15.09.2026 in Writ
Petition No.7663/2020 the present writ petitions needs to
be disposed of.

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:57439-DB
WP No. 10924 of 2023
C/W WP No. 12558 of 2023
CNR: KAHC010253452023
4. Learned counsel for respondent would not
dispute the same and he would request for protection as
provided in those orders.
5. Taking note of the above submission of the
learned counsels for the parties, the present writ petitions
are allowed and the following order is passed:
6. Writ Petition No.10924/203 is allowed. Order
dated 19.11.2019 in Application No.1747/2018 passed by
the Tribunal is set aside.
7. Writ Petition No.12558/2023 is allowed. Order
dated 03.12.2018 in Application No.3167/2017 passed by
the Tribunal is set aside.
8. The petitioner - Karnataka Lokayukta is directed
to proceed with the enquiry in terms of the Articles of
Charge issued against the respondent.
9. Further it is stated that respondent No.3 in both
the writ petitions are promoted to the next higher cadre.

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HC-KAR
NC: 2026:KHC:57439-DB
WP No. 10924 of 2023
C/W WP No. 12558 of 2023
CNR: KAHC010253452023
10. If respondent No.3 in both the writ petitions are
promoted, they shall not be demoted on the ground of
pendency of the present enquiry, till completion of the
enquiry. Promotion of R-3 in both writ petitions would be
subject to the outcome of the enquiry.
11. Respondent No.3 in both the writ petitions shall
co-operate with the Enquiry Officer and the Enquiry Officer
shall complete the enquiry as expeditiously as possible,
within six months from the date of their appearance i.e.
30.10.2026.
Sd/-
(S.G.PANDIT)
JUDGE
Sd/-
(DR.CHILLAKUR SUMALATHA)
JUDGE
AP
List No.: 1 Sl No.: 27