Karnataka Lokayukta registers FIR against DCM DK Shivakumar in disproportionate assets case

Following the government orders, the Karnataka Lokayukta filed an FIR against the deputy chief minister in the disproportionate asset case in the second week of February 2024, claimed sources at Lokayukta.

Also Read: Transferring DK Shivakumar DA case from CBI to Lokayukta raises questions

Case transferred to Lokayukta

In a Cabinet meeting held on 23 November, 2023, the Siddaramaiah government claimed that the previous BJP government’s decision was “not in accordance with the law”. The cabinet also gave the nod to withdraw the sanction given to CBI to investigate the aforementioned case.

After the Cabinet gave the nod to withdraw the sanction granted for the CBI, the state government stated that it would hand over the case either to local police or Lokayukta for further investigation.

The Siddaramaiah-led-Karnataka government officially transferred the disproportionate asset case against Shivakumar from the CBI on 22 December, 2023.

Considering the legal opinion from Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty, the state government not only withdrew the sanction granted to the CBI but also handed it over to the state investigation authority.

The government order

In the government order issued on 22 December, 2023, it said: “The government had sought the opinion of the Advocate General. He opined that the order of the government entrusted to the CBI is not in accordance with the law.

“Hence, the case handed over to the CBI under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1960 can be withdrawn and the state government can transfer the case either to the local police or Lokayukta Police, according to the rules,” mentioned the order.

The government said in the Cabinet meeting that the previous government handed over the case to the CBI in haste — without giving any valid reasons, without following the legal procedures and without consulting the concerned competent authorities of the state.

Because of these reasons and the opinion given by the Advocate General, the Cabinet has decided to withdraw the government order issued on 25 September, 2019, under Section 21 of the General Clauses Act, 1899 giving the CBI the sanction to probe the case.

Also Read: Conspiracy to end my career, says DK Shivakumar over CBI notice to Kerala channel

Lokayukta FIR

Following the orders of the Director General of Police Alok Mohan, the Karnataka Lokayukta filed an FIR against Shivakumar in the second week of February.

As per the directives from the DGP, the Lokayukta has filed an FIR before the Bengaluru City Police pertaining to the disproportionate asset case against the deputy chief minister.

Lokayukta SP Vamshi Krishna told South First: “On the orders of the Director General of Police (DGP), we have registered an FIR before Bengaluru City Police. The investigation is underway.”

Lokyukta Police have also submitted an FIR and related documents of the case to the local court in February 2024.