- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:18352 WP No. 8023 of 2026 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 2ND DAY OF APRIL, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM WRIT PETITION NO. 8023 OF 2026 (GM-RES) BETWEEN: SHRI. HALAPPA AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS, SON OF ISHAPPA VARAVI RESIDING AT VTC PAPANASHI VILLAGE, GADAG-582103. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. VINOD KUMAR M., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE STATE OF KARNATAKA THROUGH ITS CHIEF SECRETARY VIDHANA SOUDHA, BENGALURU-01. 2. KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA THROUGH ITS UPA LOKAYUKTA M.S. BUILDING, DR. AMBEDKAR VEEDHI, BENGALURU-01. 3. SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA POLICE DHARWAD RANGE-580001. Digitally signed by CHAITHRA A Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:18352 WP No. 8023 of 2026 4. SHRI GANGADHAR SHIROL SON OF VEERAPPA SHIROL PROJECT MANAGER (YOJANA VYAVASTHAPAKA) NIRMITHI KENDRA, GADAG DISTRICT, GADAG-581203 …RESPONDENTS (BY SMT NAVYA SHEKHAR, AGA FOR R1) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO DIRECTION COMMANDING THE RESPONDENT NO. 2 (KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA) AND RESPONDENT NO. 3 (SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, KARNATAKA LOKAYUKTA, DHARWAD) TO IMMEDIATELY INITIATE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION PROCEEDINGS AGAINST RESPONDENT NO. 4 UNDER APPROPRIATE PROVISIONS OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT, 1988 BASED ON THE CONCLUSIVE FINDINGS IN THE ENQUIRY REPORT NO. LOK/SP/DHARWAD.P/GADAG/DU.A.VI.VA/2025/968 (ANNEXURE E) DATED 26-08-2025 SUBMITTED IN COMPLAINT NO. 6698/2023 (ANNEXURE C) B) TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO OBTAIN SANCTION FOR PROSECUTION UNDER SECTION 19 OF THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION ACT, 1988 FROM THE COMPETENT AUTHORITY WITHIN A TIME-BOUND PERIOD OF 30 DAYS C) ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS OR APPROPRIATE DIRECTION TO RESPONDENT NO. 1 (STATE OF KARNATAKA) AND/OR APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY TO IMMEDIATELY SUSPEND RESPONDENT NO. 4 FROM HIS POSITION AS PROJECT MANAGER, NIRMITHI KENDRA, GADAG PENDING COMPLETION OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, ON THE GROUNDS THAT CONCLUSIVE FINDINGS OF CORRUPTION ESTABLISHED CONTINUED FUNCTIONING POSES RISK TO EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES, PUBLIC INTEREST DEMANDS IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:18352 WP No. 8023 of 2026 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM ORAL ORDER The captioned petition is filed seeking for directions against respondents who are located within the jurisdiction of Dharwad Bench. 2. Therefore, reserving liberty to approach Dharwad bench, petition stands dismissed. Sd/- (SACHIN SHANKAR MAGADUM) JUDGE ALB List No.: 1 Sl No.: 71