Valmiki Corp scam: Karnataka High Court stays FIR against Enforcement Directorate officers

Valmiki Corp scam: Karnataka High Court stays FIR against Enforcement Directorate officers

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, July 23, 2024: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday stayed the FIR registered against two officers of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Bengaluru. The officers had challenged the FIR, which accused them of pressuring a state government official to implicate former minister B. Nagendra and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation scam case.

The FIR was filed against Mittal, a Deputy Director, and Murali Kannan, an Assistant Director of the ED, following a complaint by Kallesh B., Additional Director of the Social Welfare Department. The Additional Solicitor General, representing the ED officers, argued that Kallesh was interrogated, and the corporation’s office was searched after an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) was registered in connection with the scam.

The court stated that allowing the investigation to continue against officers who were performing their duties would constitute an abuse of the legal process. “Therefore, in these piquant and peculiar circumstances, I deem it appropriate to stay further investigation against these petitioners. The state is permitted to file its statement of objections in the next two weeks,” said Justice M. Nagaprasanna. The case is scheduled for further hearing on August 21.