New Delhi: Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said on the state high court's decision to abolish the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) will be discussed in the next cabinet meeting. He said the next steps will be taken keeping the 2018 assembly election manifesto in mind.
The Karnataka High Court, on Thursday, quashed the March 14, 2016 order of the then State government forming the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) which was formed by the Congress government headed by Siddaramaiah.
The HC transferred all pending cases before the ACB to the Lokayukta Police division. Also, staff and personnel of the ACB would be absorbed in the Lokayukta.
The judgement of the Division Bench of Justice B Veerappa and Justice K S Hemalekha came on a petition challenging the ACB's formation and the subsequent March 16, 2016 government order withdrawing the powers of the Lokayukta police from registering and investigating cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
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The order was passed in connection with the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Chidananda Aras, advocates' association and social activist SR Hiremath's Samaj Parivartan community challenging the formation of ACB.
The judgement said that the formation of the ACB through an "executive order" is not justified and Constitutional, reported PTI. However, the court said that actions taken by the ACB so far would stand.
Weighing on this, Siddaramaiah was quoted by ANI as saying, "ACB was formed by separating Lokayukta. We respect the decision of the High Court. Haven't seen what the order is. He said he will respond after seeing the order. ACB was an independent investigative body. ACB is there not only in Karnataka but also in many states. ACB should be in Lokayukta".