Karnataka HC stays probe against BV Acharya in Jayalalithaa case

The high court, on Wednesday, stayed the probe ordered by the Lokayukta special court against BV Acharya, former advocate general and special public prosecutor in the disproportionate assets case against Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa, for his alleged role in misappropriation of funds.

N Venkateshaiah, a senior citizen, had filed a private complaint in the court alleging that Acharya, who was also chairman of the council of trustees for BMS Educational Trust, had misappropriated funds by violating admission norms.

The court, on April 21, ordered an enquiry into the private complaint and directed the Lokayukta police to submit its report on May 23.

Acharya then moved the high court challenging the Lokayukta special court's order. In his petition, he said the private complaint was filed without proper sanction.

Two writ petitions had been filed on similar cause of action in the high court seeking CBI enquiry and the cases were pending. Although the Lokayukta court was aware of this, it still ordered the probe, he said.

RN Narasimhamurthy, former advocate general and counsel for Acharya, argued that Acharya would not come in the category of a public servant under the corruption act.

The complaint did not disclose any ingredients of offense against Acharya, he said.

The high court on Wednesday granted a stay on the Lokayukta court order.

On February 8, 2012, Acharya had resigned from his post as advocate general to continue as public prosecutor in the disproportionate assets case against Jayalalithaa.