K’taka HC Grants Interim Stay On CBI Investigation Against DK Shivakumar

The Karnataka High Court recently granted an interim stay on the State government’s decision to allow the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to initiate an investigation against Deputy CM DK Shivakumar for alleged offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The interim stay was ordered by a division bench comprising Chief Justice PB Varale and Justice MGS Kamal, overturning the previous single-judge order that had declined to stay the CBI probe.

The court adjourned the case until July 17 and suspended the single-judge order issued on April 20.

The previous led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had authorized the CBI to investigate Shivakumar in September 2019, concerning allegations related to mining and real estate activities.

On April 20, 2023, a single bench of Justice R Natarajan dismissed Shivakumar’s plea to quash the State Home Department’s order, prompting Shivakumar to challenge the decision before the division bench.

The case stems from allegations that Shivakumar was involved in various activities, including mining and the real estate industry. During an Income Tax Department search on August 2, 2017, in multiple locations, including Delhi, a sum of ₹8.59 crores was discovered, with ₹41 lakh found at a property linked to Shivakumar.

Subsequently, the Income Tax Department officials registered a case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) then filed a case against Shivakumar under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Shivakumar was subsequently arrested on September 3, 2019. Following a letter from the ED, the State government allowed the CBI to conduct an investigation on September 9, 2019.