Eco-friendly cloth bag scam

Bengaluru: The Supreme Court  (SC) has issued notices to the Karnataka Government and the complainant in an appeal filed by IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri challenging a Karnataka High Court (HC) order in connection with alleged irregularities in the procurement of cloth bags during her tenure as Deputy Commissioner  of Mysuru.

The case pertains to the purchase of eco-friendly cloth bags for the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and other Local Bodies in 2021.

The complaint was filed by N.R. Ravichandre Gowda, Advocate and JD(S) Spokesperson in Mysuru, who alleged that the cloth bags were procured at Rs. 52 each despite similar bags being available in the market for about Rs. 13.

Ravichandre Gowda claimed the alleged overpricing caused a loss of Rs. 5.88 crore to the public exchequer.

The complaint also alleged that funds earmarked for Gram Panchayat (GP) welfare schemes had been diverted for the procurement.

While hearing the matter, the Karnataka High Court observed that prior sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act was required before registering a First Information Report (FIR) in cases arising out of decisions taken by a public servant in the discharge of official duties. The Court directed the State Government to take a decision on granting the required sanction.

In its order dated Apr. 1, Justice M. Nagaprasanna held that a departmental inquiry exonerating the officer would not bar a criminal investigation into the same allegations, observing that such an investigation was necessary to ascertain  the truth.

Challenging the High Court’s order, Sindhuri approached the Supreme Court, which had earlier granted an interim stay on  its operation.

On July 31, a Bench, comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu, issued notices to the Karnataka Government and the complainant, seeking their response in  the matter.