Court directs Lokayukta SP to begin scam probe

“We received the court order on Friday late evening. We have decided to seek the legal opinion from the Legal Cell in the matter before initiating the investigation,” Lokayukta Additional Director General of Police Rupak Kumar Dutta told Deccan Herald.

“For the first time a case has been registered under Section 202 CrPC against the chief minister. We want to ascertain from the legal cell whether a formal first information report (FIR) needs to be registered to begin the investigation under this Act or the investigation can be taken up without registering the FIR. If the legal cell tells us that a formal FIR is not required under the Section, then we will begin an investigation without registering the FIR,” Dutta added.

He stated the police would begin the investigation as soon as the legal cell gave its opinion.
Lokayukta SP Madhukar Shetty will be the investigation officer for the case.

Currently, Shetty is on leave and Rangaswamy, who is the in charge in Shetty’s absence, will be completing the formalities till Shetty reports for duty. Shetty will join duty on April 5.