Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has directed the Additional Advocate General to clear the stand of the new government on Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in relation to the multiple queries raised through Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
The Divisional Bench of HC comprising Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice B M Shyamprasad, on May 29, heard several PILs that have been submitted in the court questioning the formation of the ACB.
During the trial, the Chief Justice asked Advocate General A S Ponnanna, representing the government if there was any change in the ACB system now that a new government had come into existence. In reply, Ponnanna said that he had not got an opportunity to hold discussions with the new government on the issue. “If you give some time duration, I would discuss the issue with the government and clarify its stand”, he said.
The Judicial Bench said that the court would give time till June 1, within which the government should clear its stand on ACB failing which the trial on petitions would be completed and order kept reserved. Later, the Bench postponed the hearing to June 1.
Samaja Parivarthana Samudaya and Bengaluru Bar Associations have submitted PILs that the formation of ACB is against the Anti-Corruption Act and the FIRs filed by the ACB should be transferred to the Lokayukta.
