The High Court on Wednesday stayed proceedings pursuant to a case registered by Lokayukta police against former and present Agricultural Officers (AO) of Hunagund taluk, Bagalkot district.
A petition filed by present AO of Hungund, M D Hawaldhar, and C R Kadival, former Hungund AO who is presently working at Manvi, Raichur district, impugned the criminal case registered against them under Prevention of Corruption Act.
The case is one registered by Bagalkot district Lokayukta DySP on Dec 15, pursuant to a complaint filed by one Sangameshwar M Naragalli.
The officers are accused of misappropriating funds released under Water-shed Development Project for various construction works in the taluk’s villages.
Justice V Jagannathan ordered notices to Karnataka Lokayukta, Bagalkot Lokayukta DySP and the complainant.
Mining
The High Court on Wednesday stayed further proceedings on Sandur Range Forest Officer’s notice directing stoppage of mining activities on 10 hectare land in Dharmapura village, Sandur taluk, Bellary district.
HC Vacation Judge Justice V Jagannathan passed an interim order of stay following a writ petition by V N K Menon, who stated to be holding a mining lease in respect of said lands. The petitioner has impugned the validity of the notice issued on Nov 28, 2007.
Professor gets jail
Dr S Pandu, former professor, Minto Eye Hospital, was on Monday convicted by the Special Judge, Bangalore City under the Prevention  of Corruption Act, 1988 and sentenced to one year of simple imprisonment and fine of Rs 1,000.
Dr Pandu was caught red handed by the Lokayukta police while accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 for an eye surgery by M Subba Rao of Kasturi Nagar in 2001.
Rao had lodged a complaint with the Lokayukta police, who set a trap and caught the eye surgeon while accepting bribe.