HC asks ACB not to arrest official in illegal wealth case

The High Court of Karnataka on Tuesday directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) not to arrest T N Chikkarayappa, the suspended managing director of Cauvery Neeravari Nigama.

After raids on his house by the Income Tax officials and the CBI, the ACB too conducted raids. The state agency had also issued notice to him to appear before it. Chikkarayappa, who is absconding, approached the high court seeking quashing of the ACB proceedings against him and had sought directions not to arrest him.

Hearing his Interlocutory Application, Justice Anand Byrareddy said that if the petitioner appears before the investigating authority (ACB) and cooperates with the investigation, then they should not arrest him.

The lower court had reserved its orders on an anticipatory bail application filed by the suspended officer on December 16, 2016.  Following this, the ACB had issued a ‘look out notice’ on December 22, 2016, after which, Chikkarayappa approached the High Court.