The Karnataka High Court has cleared the way for a criminal investigation into IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri, directing the state government to approve a probe into alleged financial irregularities during her tenure as the Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru. The case centers on the procurement of eco-friendly cloth bags in 2021, which reportedly resulted in a loss of over INR 5.8 crore to the state exchequer.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna, presiding over the case, emphasized that administrative exoneration does not grant immunity from criminal scrutiny. "The spectre of corruption, once raised on the basis of material placed on record, cannot be summarily extinguished at the threshold," the Court remarked, asserting that Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act is a "shield for the innocent, not a sanctuary for the culpable." IAS vs IPS in Karnataka: Social Media War Between Rohini Sindhuri and Roopa Moudgil Over ‘Personal Photos’ Escalates, CM Basavaraj Bommai Orders Issuance of Notices to Warring Officers.

The ‘Cloth Bag’ Controversy

The allegations date back to 2021, when the Mysuru district administration, under Sindhuri’s leadership, decided to distribute cloth bags to residents as part of a plastic-ban initiative. The Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation was tasked with supplying nearly 14.7 lakh bags at a cost of ₹52 per unit. However, a complaint filed by social activist Ravichandra Gowda alleged that the same bags were available in the retail market for just ₹13. The petitioner argued that the inflated pricing led to a massive misappropriation of public funds, totaling approximately ₹5.88 crore.

Legal Hurdles and Reversals

The path to this investigation has been marked by significant legal back-and-forth. Initially, the state government had refused to grant permission for an FIR under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, citing that Sindhuri had already been cleared in a departmental inquiry. The High Court, however, dismissed this reasoning, noting that a departmental inquiry and a criminal investigation are governed by distinct legal standards. Justice Nagaprasanna pointed out that the complaint was neither "vague" nor "speculative" and was backed by documentary evidence that prima facie disclosed an abuse of office.

Diversion of Local Funds

A critical point noted by the Court was the alleged diversion of funds. The bench observed that money belonging to various local bodies, originally intended for development projects, was diverted and deposited into an account controlled by Sindhuri for the bag procurement project. By setting aside the government’s previous refusal to prosecute, the Court has mandated that the state now accord formal approval for the registration of an FIR and a subsequent investigation. Karnataka HC Issues Notice to CM Siddaramaiah on Plea Challenging Closure of MUDA Case.

Background and Context

Rohini Sindhuri, a high-profile 2009-batch IAS officer, has frequently been at the center of administrative and public controversies in Karnataka. This latest ruling marks a significant development in the long-standing legal battle between the officer and activists seeking accountability for pandemic-era procurements. The state government is now expected to issue the necessary sanctions to allow the Lokayukta or the relevant investigative agency to proceed with a formal inquiry into the matter.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 03, 2026 01:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).