High Court rules Lokayukta can investigate staff of aided private educational institutions
Bengaluru: The High Court has ruled that staff of private educational institutions receiving government aid can be considered part of government personnel for certain purposes, and the Lokayukta can conduct investigations against them.
The order came from a division bench led by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru, which quashed the appeal filed by B. Lakshmenarayana, the librarian and clerk of Sri Balanjaneya High School in Byrashetti Halli, Nelamangala Taluk, challenging a Lokayukta-conducted inquiry.
The court noted that in several cases, staff of aided educational institutions are treated as part of government service for specific purposes, as their salaries, allowances, and service conditions are regulated by the government. Therefore, the Lokayukta is authorized to investigate complaints against such staff.
The case traces back to 2013, when a complaint was filed with the Lokayukta alleging that B. Lakshmenarayana and four others purchased land in Vajrahalli and Nelamangala in 2004–05 without the necessary approvals from the school management board. The complainants alleged that Lakshmenarayana had received ₹2.83 crore for his share and failed to disclose property details as required.
The Lokayukta conducted a preliminary inquiry and submitted a report to the government recommending a full-scale investigation under the CC&A rules. The High Court upheld this process, stating that there is no error in allowing the investigation to proceed.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Ramadan fasting to kickoff from Thursday in Karnataka
Bengaluru: The Holy month of Ramadan will start from Thursday, February 19, announced convener of the State Moon Sighting Committee Maulana Maqsood Imran Rashadi on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference after the Moon Sighting Committee meeting held at the State Waqf Board office on Cunningham Road in the city on Wednesday evening, he said that there is no information about moon sighting anywhere in the capital Bengaluru, including other districts.
“However, after receiving reports of moon sightings in neighbouring states including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Delhi, it has been decided to start fasting from Thursday,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Maulana Mufti Iftikhar Ahmed Qasmi, Maulana Ejaz Ahmed Nadvi and other members of the ulema.
