Basavaraj Bommai's govt ready to implement Karnataka HC directive on ACB

BENGALURU/NEW DELHI: The Karnataka high court's recent verdict scrapping the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and restoring police powers to Lokayukta has been challenged in the Supreme Court by a private petitioner on Tuesday, triggering speculation that the plea was filed at the behest of the state government.
However, the chief minister and BJP's state unit sent out co-ordinated signals to scotch the rumour and said the government was earnestly preparing to implement the high court order.
CM Basavaraj Bommai said, "We've nothing to do with the petition. Our stand is clear: 'We'll implement the high court order.' In fact, we have started the process (of implementing the order)."
Decision to implement HC's ACB order taken at cabinet meet: CM
On the likely stand of the state government if the Supreme Court sought its opinion on the issue, Bommai said the decision to implement the high court order was taken at the previous cabinet meeting itself. "We will convey the same to the Supreme Court, if required," he said.
The petitioner, Kanakaraju, said ongoing investigations into several cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act have been jeopardized due to the high court verdict.
Further, he said, ACB was investigating his complaint against two officials of the Bescom vigilance wing for demanding bribes from him. But the investigation has come to a halt after the court verdict, which said all cases should be transferred to the Lokayukta.
Kanakaraju's appeal is mentioned before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana.
On August 11, the high court ordered abolition of ACB, observing it was set up with the sole intention of shielding corrupt politicians and officials from the Lokayukta.
It had expressed displeasure over ACB's inaction in several cases of corruption allegedly involving influential people.
In March 2016, chief minister Siddaramaiah formed the Anti-Corruption Bureau to deal with corruption in government offices and bring it under administrative control of the state government.
As the opposition party, BJP strongly objected to the weakening of the institution of Lokayukta and vowed to revive the independent anti-corruption body within 24 hours if voted to power. BJP came to power in 2019 and BS Yediyurappa became chief minister, but the party did not implement it, citing a pending case in the high court.
With the assembly elections eight months away, BJP is in a dilemma over the high court order since the party is aware that any misstep on the ACB front will malign its image.