BENGALURU: In a major decision, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday abolished the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), formed by the Congress government headed by Siddaramaiah in 2016, and transferred all cases pending before the ACB to the Lokayukta police division.
In 2016, the Siddaramaiah government formed the ACB, curtailing the powers of the Lokayukta.
A division bench comprising Justice B Veerappa and Justice K S Hemalekha said that all cases pending before the ACB will now be transferred to the Lokayukta police. The order was passed in connection with Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Chidananda Urs, Advocates’ Association and social activist S R Hiremath’s Samaj Parivartan, challenging the formation of ACB.
Reacting to the high court order, Siddaramaiah said, “I have not yet seen the order on the issue of High Court quashing the ACB”. Siddaramaiah, who is now leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, said that he will respond after seeing the order.
“The ACB was formed by separating the Lokayukta. We respect the decision of the High Court. I haven’t seen what the order is. I he will respond after seeing the order. The ACB was an independent investigative body. It is there not only in Karnataka, but in many states. The ACB should be in Lokayukta,” said Siddaramaiah.
He said that now the High Court has decided that there is no need for independent existence. (ANI)