The Lokayukta Special Court in Bengaluru on Friday ordered a fresh probe into a complaint filed against Karnataka Textiles Minister Baburao Chinchansur accusing him of amassing assets disproportionate to known sources of his income.
Judge Prabhavati Hiremath directed Superintendent of Police (Lokayukta) Bangalore Urban to conduct an investigation under 156(3) CrPC into the complaint, filed by one Shanthappa, and submit his report.
Shanthappa, in his complaint, stated that during 1989-2011, Chinchansur had purchased 170 properties across the state and declared his total income to be over Rs 1.56 crore whereas the actual value of his assets is Rs 14,97,78,217.
The Lokayukta special court ordered the fresh probe into the matter after it decided, as per the directions of the Karnataka High Court, that there is no mandatory requirement of government sanction to prosecute public servants on private complaints.
On February 14, 2013, the High Court had directed the Lokayukta Special Court to decide whether government sanction is mandatory before prosecuting public servants on private complaints.
However, on the same day, the High Court had quashed the proceedings of the Lokayukta special court against Chinchansur.
The minister, then a Congress MLA, had filed a complaint in the High Court against the Lokayukta special court ordering probe into the matter.
The Minister also allegedly possesses immovable assets including gold idol, silver dining table and chairs, Shanthappa had submitted.
During the years 1989, 1994, 1999-2008, Chinchansur had been an MLA and from 1999-2004, he was also a minister for Lotteries, Savings, Insurance and Muzrai.
The complaint charged Chinchansur with committing offences under relevant sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and prayed to the court to order an investigation under a relevant section CrPC.
The judge posted the matter for next hearing on July 11.
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