High Court Rejects PILs Seeking Enquiry Into PWD, Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Department Over Alleged Irregularities In Issuing Tenders

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday dismissed two public interest litigations seeking a direction to the State Government to hold high level enquiry into the alleged illegalities and irregularities committed by the Public Works Department and Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Department, during the period 2016-17 to 2021-22, while calling for tenders, tender process payment of bills making unauthorized advances to the contractor etc.

A division bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice M I Arun dismissed the petition filed by Gurunath Vadde and said “Upon going through the averments and hearing the submission of advocate, the petition is based on general assertions. On the basis of general details, public interest jurisdiction cannot be exercised. Not only that petitioner has the remedy of approaching the Lokayukta or to pursue legal remedy if the individual cases are detected.”

Following which the court dismissed the petition.

The petitioner had relied on the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report to point to the alleged irregularities and sought for an enquiry to be conducted by the State government.

The bench however questioned the right of the petitioner to seek an enquiry and said “What is the prima facie material on hand to show that there has been certain malpractices. If you are aggrieved by the CAG report then file a complaint before the Lokayukta they will look into it.”

It added, “The administration cannot function if we allow a roving inquiry into each and every complaint made against the government.”

Case Title: Gurunath Vadde AND State of Karnataka

Case No: WP 2036/2024 & WP 1040/2024

Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 84