Rohini Sindhuri Faces Corruption Allegations in Karnataka

“The spectre of corruption once raised, on the basis of material placed on record, cannot be summarily extinguished at the threshold,” stated Justice M Nagaprasanna of the Karnataka High Court, highlighting the gravity of the allegations against IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri.

The court recently directed the state government to grant approval for the prosecution of Sindhuri in connection with a case involving the procurement of eco-friendly bags. The complaint, filed by lawyer and social activist NR Ravinchandre Gowda, alleges that the state government incurred a loss of Rs 7.5 crore due to the purchase of these bags at an inflated price of Rs 52 each, while the market price was only Rs 13.

At the time of the alleged misconduct, Rohini Sindhuri served as the deputy commissioner of Mysuru and was also the managing director of the Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation. The case revolves around the purchase of over 14 lakh eco-friendly cloth bags in 2021, which has now come under scrutiny for potential corruption.

Initially, the state government declined to grant permission for prosecution under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which aims to protect public servants from frivolous complaints. However, the court emphasized that serious allegations of corruption must be thoroughly investigated and cannot be dismissed without inquiry.

Justice M Nagaprasanna further clarified, “Departmental proceedings and criminal prosecution operate in distinct spheres, governed by distinct standards of proof and objectives.” This statement underscores the court’s position that the investigation into Sindhuri’s actions should proceed independently of any internal departmental reviews.

In its ruling, the court criticized the government for failing to adequately review the allegations and reiterated the necessity for a proper investigation. The court ordered the state government to provide permission under the Prevention of Corruption Act for the Lokayukta police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against Sindhuri.

Rohini Sindhuri, a senior IAS officer from the 2009 batch of the Karnataka cadre, has been involved in a highly publicized feud with IPS officer D. Roopa earlier in 2023, which has drawn significant media attention. The current allegations add another layer of complexity to her career.

As the situation develops, the focus will remain on how the state government responds to the court’s directive and whether further legal actions will be taken against Sindhuri. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the next steps in the prosecution process.