High Court of Karnataka Dismisses Petition Challenging Lokayukta Investigation Reference as Withdrawn. Writ Petition under Article 226 of Constitution of India seeking quashing of reference of investigation to Upa-Lokayukta under Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984 dismissed as withdrawn without adjudication on merits.

High Court: Karnataka High Court Bench: BENGALURU

Admin

2026-05-18 13:22:36

Font size:

Case Note & Summary

The petitioner, Shri Nagarajappa, filed a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India before the High Court of Karnataka at Bengaluru, challenging the reference of investigation made by the 2nd respondent (Principal Secretary, Directorate of Sugarcane Development and Sugar) to the Upa-Lokayukta by order dated 17.05.2014 (Annexure-X). The petition was directed against the State of Karnataka, the Directorate of Sugarcane Development and Sugar, the Additional Chief Secretary of Commerce and Industries Department, the Karnataka Lokayukta, and the Managing Director of Mysugar Company Ltd. The matter was heard and reserved for orders on 19.08.2025, and came up for pronouncement on 13.11.2025. During the hearing, the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner, Sri Udaya Holla, sought permission to withdraw the petition. The court, comprising Justice D K Singh and Justice Venkatesh Naik T, permitted the withdrawal and dismissed the petition as withdrawn. The court clarified that no opinion on the merits of the case was expressed. The respondents were represented by Smt. Prathibha R K (AGA for R-1 to R-3), Sri Venkatesh S Arabatti (for R-4), and Sri Kiran C V (for R-5). The petition was dismissed without any order as to costs.

Headnote

A) Constitutional Law - Writ Jurisdiction - Article 226 of Constitution of India - Withdrawal of Petition - Petitioner sought quashing of reference of investigation to Upa-Lokayukta - During hearing, petitioner's counsel sought permission to withdraw the petition - Court permitted withdrawal and dismissed the petition as withdrawn - Held that no opinion on merits was expressed (Para 2).

Issue of Consideration

Whether the reference of investigation made by the 2nd respondent to the Upa-Lokayukta by order dated 17.05.2014 is liable to be quashed.

Final Decision

The writ petition is dismissed as withdrawn. No order as to costs.

Law Points

Writ jurisdiction under Article 226
Reference of investigation to Lokayukta
Karnataka Lokayukta Act
1984
Withdrawal of petition
No merits adjudicated

Case Details

2025 LawText (KAR) (11) 21

Writ Petition No. 745 of 2024 (GM-KLA)

2025-11-13

Justice D K Singh, Justice Venkatesh Naik T

Sri Udaya Holla (Senior Counsel for Sri Ashok B Patil, Advocate) for Petitioner; Smt. Prathibha R K (AGA for R-1 to R-3); Sri Venkatesh S Arabatti (Advocate for R-4); Sri Kiran C V (Advocate for R-5)

Shri Nagarajappa

The State of Karnataka, The State of Karnataka by its Principal Secretary Directorate of Sugarcane Development and Sugar, The Additional Chief Secretary The Commerce and Industries Department, The Karnataka Lokayukta, The Managing Director Mysugar Company Ltd

Nature of Litigation

Writ petition under Article 226 of Constitution of India challenging reference of investigation to Upa-Lokayukta.

Remedy Sought

Quashing of the reference of investigation made by the 2nd respondent to the Upa-Lokayukta by order dated 17.05.2014 (Annexure-X).

Filing Reason

Petitioner challenged the reference of investigation to the Upa-Lokayukta by the State Government.

Issues

Whether the reference of investigation to Upa-Lokayukta is liable to be quashed.

Submissions/Arguments

Petitioner's counsel sought permission to withdraw the petition.

Ratio Decidendi

The court permitted the petitioner to withdraw the petition and dismissed it as withdrawn without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case.

Judgment Excerpts

The learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner seeks permission to withdraw the petition. The petition is dismissed as withdrawn. No order as to costs.

Procedural History

The writ petition was filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. It was heard and reserved for orders on 19.08.2025, and pronounced on 13.11.2025.