Karnataka Government sitting on six ACB proposals on filing FIRs

The New Indian Express d 8/9/2016
BENGALURU: The state government is sitting on six proposals from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) seeking sanction to register FIRs against tainted bureaucrats/officials after prima facie case was found against them.
Replying to a query at a press conference here on Wednesday, ADGP-ACB K V Gagandeep said the six proposals sent to the state government have been pending since a month.
However, sources said at least three similar requests have been pending since last four months.
To a question on the preliminary investigation into three cases registered with regard to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s controversial Hublot watch, Gagandeep said, “We are still investigating this case and have sought details from the Customs Department and Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is also probing the matter.”
According to sources, not only is the state government sitting on proposals seeking sanction for filing FIR, it has also not approved the guidelines sent by the ACB on various aspects of investigation including the deadline for completion of preliminary investigation into complaints filed by the public.
Therefore, there is no clarity on completion of preliminary investigation and hence the CM’s watch row is still at the preliminary stage of investigation even three months after a complaint was filed.
According to M A Saleem, IGP-ACB, three complaints were filed in connection with the Hublot watch case. They include one filed by advocate Nataraj Sharma and another petition transferred to the ACB by the Lokayukta police. “We are collecting details from different departments,” Saleem said.
When asked about the land scam allegedly involving Chief Secretary Arvind Jadhav, Gagandeep said the case is under preliminary investigation and they are still collecting documents.