Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka has directed the State Government to grant approval for registration of an FIR against IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri over alleged irregularities in the procurement of eco-friendly bags for distribution in Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and other Local Bodies.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna ordered the Government to accord approval within four weeks under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Sindhuri and the then Managing Director of the Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation (KHDC). The FIR will be registered by Lokayukta Police for investigation.

The case pertains to alleged corruption and financial loss to the State exchequer during Sindhuri’s tenure as Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Mysuru.

Sindhuri, a 2009-batch IAS officer, is accused of approving the procurement of 14,71,458 eco-friendly cloth bags from KHDC at Rs. 52 per bag, despite the prevailing market price being around Rs. 13. The decision allegedly caused a loss of Rs. 5.88 crore to the State.

It is also alleged that funds earmarked for welfare schemes in Urban Local Bodies and Gram Panchayats in the district were diverted for the purchase of these bags. The Court observed that the request for approval under Section 17A relates to a case that, at least prima facie, discloses elements of corruption.

Departmental clean chit

Justice Nagaprasanna passed the order on Mar. 27 while allowing a petition filed by Mysuru-based Advocate N.R. Ravichandre Gowda, who had challenged a communication issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) rejecting approval for investigation under Section 17A.

The Judge noted that the Government’s latest rejection order was virtually identical to its earlier communication, except for the addition that Sindhuri had been exonerated in a Departmental inquiry. The Court clarified that exoneration in a Departmental inquiry does not automatically prevent the registration of a criminal case.

The order also noted that a coordinate bench of the High Court had earlier directed the Government to reconsider the matter. However, the Government reiterated its earlier stand.

“In such circumstances, a further remand would serve no useful purpose,” the Court observed, directing the Chief Secretary to grant approval for registration of the FIR and for investigation in accordance with law.

Complaint history

The petitioner had first lodged a complaint in 2021, which was forwarded to the DPAR on Dec. 17, 2021 seeking approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The request was initially rejected on Sept. 19, 2022. The petitioner challenged this decision before the High Court in 2025, and a coordinate bench on Feb. 20, 2025 quashed the rejection and directed the Government to reconsider the matter. However, the DPAR again rejected the request on May 26, 2025, prompting the petitioner to approach the High Court once again.