Latest news with #KarnatakaLokayuktaAct
New Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Upa Lokayukta takes suo motu action over neglect of ancient Srirama temple
BENGALURU: Taking suo motu cognisance of the dilapidated condition of the Srirama temple, a protected monument situated in Kudluru of Channapatna taluk in Bengaluru South district, Upa Lokayukta Justice K N Phaneendra registered a case against all the concerned authorities and sought an explanation for their inaction. Justice Phaneendra's action came after he took note of the sorry state of affairs of the temple after he visited it while he was on his way to check the rampant pollution and encroachment of lakes on July 7, along with Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru South District Yashavanth V Gurukar, other officials. Justice Phaneendra noted that this is one among the famous temples constructed on the bank of the river Kanva between the fourth and fifth centuries ago by the Ganga empire, and it was declared a protected monument on May 5, 1987. The compound of the wall and retaining wall on the right side of the stone pillar outside the temple are nearly collapsing, the stone wall in in the sanctum sanctorum is slipping, it also developed cracks inside the walls of the temple- all of these could led to a big disaster, if not paid attention to immediately, Justice Phaneendra noted. The Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the Archaeological Department, Tarakesh, who was present, told Upa Lokayukta that the compound wall collapsed due to erosion of the bund of the river, which was exploited severely for sand mining. When enquired, Mohan, Executive Engineer (EE), CNNL, informed the Upa Lokayukta that the construction of the retaining wall will be taken up by them if the proposal comes from the state government. However, this monument has been neglected by the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, CNNL, Revenue Department, which amounts to 'Maladministration' under Section 2(10) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, he said. Therefore, in order to take action against them as well as remedial measures to protect the monument, he registered a suo motu case against officials Tarakesh, Mohan, and Mohammed Zeeshan Ali Khan, who is the Tahsildar of Muzrai Department, Bengaluru South District.
New Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Upa Lokayukta to launch massive drive to plant 80k saplings in Karnataka's Tumakuru
BENGALURU: Continuing his mission to protect and enrich the environment, Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa will on Thursday launch a massive drive to plant 80,000 saplings in 300 acres of forest land in Chikkanayakanahalli taluk of Tumakuru District The programme was reclaimed by the revenue department from encroachers and handed over to the forest department. After taking over as Upa Lokayukta in July 2024, Justice Veerappa was instrumental in planting 40,000 saplings, including 25,000 in Tumakuru, 10,000 in Kolar and 2,000 in Karighatta of Mandya district. The land at Chikkanayakanahalli was occupied by encroachers for decades and was restored as forest land. Despite a recommendation made by the then Upa Lokayukta Justice N Anand under Section 12(1) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act in 2019 on a complaint filed in 2015 by one Siddalingegowda, the land was not reclaimed by the state authorities for about six years. Taking up the matter after taking charge, Justice Veerappa warned of referring the matter to the governor for action, while summoning the officials concerned and fixing hearings back-to-back to take the issue to a logical end. The proceedings culminated with the revenue department reclaiming the land and making related entries in the revenue records on June 17, 2025, to show that this land belongs to the forest. 'I am launching the plantation drive to protect the land from unscrupulous persons and enrich nature further,' Justice Veerappa told TNIE.
New Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Lokayukta vigilance wing set up to fight internal corruption
BENGALURU: With no positive response from the state government on the constitution of the vigilance wing at the Lokayukta, the anti-corruption watchdog has gone ahead with setting up a division to fight corruption and maladministration within its own institution. To set up the vigilance wing, Lokayukta Justice BS Patil had requested the state government to create 24 posts, including a sitting District Judge to lead the wing along with one SP, one DySP, two inspectors and others. 'Apart from that, we had also written to the government to sanction 339 posts last October for the entire Lokayukta. Awaiting the government's response, we have constituted the vigilance wing to be headed by the Registrar,' said Justice Patil. The institution is handling nearly 25,000 cases, both under the Karnataka Lokayukta Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act. As against 1,929 sanctioned strength, its working strength is 1,309.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Karnataka Lokayukta tells cops to leave if they can't work with honesty, integrity
Bengaluru: Taking note of a recent case where a dismissed constable was found extorting money from corrupt officials by using the name of an IPS officer, Lokayukta Justice BS Patil told police officers of the anti-corruption agency to leave if they don't want to work with honesty, integrity, and commitment. Speaking to TOI, Patil confirmed he had a meeting with senior officials of the police wing of the institution. He said a few people are spoiling the reputation of the institution. "We, as an institution, raided many corrupt officials and unearthed maladministration. As of today, 25,000 cases have been registered under the Karnataka Lokayukta Act," he said. "Outside criminals encouraged by insiders (officials) create a mess. So, I have been curt with them... I asked them to leave the institute if they are not committed to their work," Patil said. "I warned them of leaving all my work and investigating them if any such allegations come to my notice," he added. "Based on the outcome of the investigation into the recent (extortion) case, I have instructed police to issue notices to all those involved and take necessary action. I have instructed police investigating the case to take the assistance of all experts and find out the black sheep. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Since the investigation is ongoing, I don't want to comment much on it," Patil said. Sought vigilance wing "I have proposed the govt to increase the postings and sanction a vigilance wing headed by a district judge as registrar. The vigilance registrar will investigate the allegations and give me feedback to take necessary action. Similarly, a proposal is made to have a registrar judicial headed by a district judge." Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Encroachment of Channapatna lakes gets Upa Lokayukta's goat
Justice Phaneendra, who also visited a few lakes of the taluk to take stock, stated that it is the right of every person to live in a healthy and clean environment, and it is also the right of every person to have access to potable drinking water. The Supreme Court time and again has held that such rights are fundamental and citizens cannot be deprived of the same, he added. He also observed that the lakes play a vital role in providing sources of water for various purposes, like drinking, farming and other chores. If what is stated in the news item is true, then the same would violate the right under the Constitution of India. The news indicates that various lakes in and around Channapatna town are polluted. As per Section 87 of the Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964, obligatory functions are cast on the municipal councils to look after the water bodies, sewage, drainage work, supply of water etc. Such being the case, it is obligatory that the City Municipal Council maintain, and make sure that the lakes are not polluted to ensure that the citizens get a clean and healthy environment, he noted. Justice Phaneendra has also stated that the Karnataka Lokayukta Act casts an obligation on Lokayukta or Upa Lokayukta under Section 12(1) for redressal of the grievance of the public and Section 2(1) casts an obligation to prevent the maladministration by the public authorities. In light of this, 'I am of the firm opinion that the news item published in TNIE can be treated as source material for me to exercise my suo motu power under Sections 7(2) and 9(3)(a) of the Act. Accordingly, I exercise my power and initiate suo motu proceedings', he said.
