KMF employee is 'public servant', can be tried under Prevention of Corruption Act: Karnataka HC
Bengaluru, Aug 11: The Karnataka High Court has ruled that those under the employment of Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) are 'public servants' and therefore can be tried under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Justice M Nagaprasanna passed the judgement in a case where a former general manager of Nandini Milk Products (a unit of KMF) had challenged the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) action against him for amassing disproportionate assets.
The HC said the petitioner being a General Manager undoubtedly performs public duty and the government obligations of such public duty was transferred to the Federation, when the Federation was created, and therefore, the inescapable conclusion would be that the petitioner would be a public servant within the meaning of Section 2(c) of the Act.
The case was registered against V Krishna Reddy under the Act in 2021 and is pending before the Principal District and Sessions Judge at Chikkaballapura. He had joined KMF as a technical officer in 1997 and reached the post of general manager.
An ACB probe found he had disproportionate assets to the tune of 107.70 per cent. He had approached the HC which had granted a stay on the proceedings on March nine, 2022.
The figures shown in the assets and liabilities statement run to several crores. The aforesaid facts are a matter of record though they are figures prima facie, the HC said.
The HC held it does not matter how much percentage of share the Government holds in an entity. But even if a 'sprinkling aid' is provided it would be sufficient to bring an employee with the definition of 'public servant.'
If the petitioner is a public servant under the Act, the registration of crime against him for offence punishable under Section 13(1)(b) of the Act, cannot be found fault with as it cannot be said, that it is, dehors jurisdiction, the Court said dismissing Reddy's petition.
Commenting on corruption in public life, the HC said in the judgement, It is beyond any cavil of doubt that corruption has percolated to every nook and corner of public life in the country and has become an issue in all walks of life posing a grave danger to the concept of constitutional governance; corruption emerges in various hues and forms and is therefore, unfathomable.
Citing the Supreme Court verdict in the 'Mansukhbhai Kanjibhai Shah' case, the HC said, Zero tolerance towards corruption should be the top-notch priority for ensuring system based and driven, transparent and responsive governance. Corruption cannot be annihilated but strategically be dwindled by reducing monopoly and enabling transparency in decision-making.
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Padma Shri awardee Baba Sivanand passes away in Varanasi
Varanasi, May 4 (PTI): Padma Shri spiritual guru Baba Sivanand died here of health complications. His disciples claim he was 128.
Baba Sivanand had been admitted to BHU Hospital on April 30 with some health issues. He died Saturday night.
His body has been kept at his residence in Kabirnagar Colony for the people to pay their last respects. His last rites will be performed later this evening, the disciples said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X hailed the guru for inspiring generations and termed his death an "irreparable loss."
"It is extremely saddening to hear about the demise of Shivanand Baba Ji, a yoga practitioner and resident of Kashi. His life dedicated to yoga and sadhana will continue to inspire every generation of the country. He was also awarded Padma Shri for serving the society through yoga.
"Shivanand Baba's departure to Shivaloka is an irreparable loss for all of us Kashi residents and millions of people who draw inspiration from him. I pay my tribute to him in this hour of grief," he said.
Born on August 8, 1896, in the Sylhet district of present-day Bangladesh, Baba Sivanand lost his parents to starvation when he was just six years old, they said.
Since then, he followed a life of austerity and discipline, eating only half a stomach of food, they said.
After his parents' demise, he was taken under the care of Omkarnand, who became his guardian and mentor. It was under his guidance that Baba Sivanand received spiritual education and life teachings.
Recognised for his contributions to yoga and spirituality, Baba Sivanand was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2022.
His disciples credited his longevity and robust health to his disciplined lifestyle. They said he would wake up at 3 am every day, practice yoga, and manage all his chores by himself.
He ate only boiled food and slept on a mat. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid his tributes to the yoga guru and prayed for his salvation.
"It is very sad that famous yoga guru of Kashi 'Padma Shri' Swami Shivanand ji, who made an unparalleled contribution in the field of 'Yoga', passed away. Humble tribute to him!" he wrote on X.
"Your sadhana and yoga-filled life is a great inspiration for the whole society. You dedicated your whole life to the expansion of yoga. I pray to Baba Vishwanath to grant salvation to the departed soul and give strength to his bereaved followers to bear this immense grief. Om Shanti!" he added.
योग साधक और काशी निवासी शिवानंद बाबा जी के निधन से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। योग और साधना को समर्पित उनका जीवन देश की हर पीढ़ी को प्रेरित करता रहेगा। योग के जरिए समाज की सेवा के लिए उन्हें पद्मश्री से सम्मानित भी किया गया था।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 4, 2025
शिवानंद बाबा का शिवलोक प्रयाण हम सब काशीवासियों और उनसे… pic.twitter.com/nm9fI3ySiK
