[Ramesh Jarkiholi Sex Scandal] Karnataka High Court to look into legality of investigation conducted by SIT in absence of lead officer

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday opined that it would have to look into the legality of the investigation conducted in the absence of the lead officer of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was constituted to look into the Ramesh Jarkiholi sex scandal..“The issue of legality of investigation of the SIT, in the absence of the SIT leader will have to be considered by the Court. State and SIT will have to deal with this aspect in the Statement of Objections, on or before 3rd of August 2021,” the Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj said..The Court was prompted to pass this order after it was told that the head of the SIT, Somendru Mukherjee, has been on medical leave since May 1..Noting this, the Court asked,“How long has the head of SIT been on leave? How can SIT continue investigations, it should have been handed over to some other senior officer...This is not the way investigation has to be carried out…First question is, in the absence of the lead officer, how can the investigation can continue?”.Therefore, the Court proceeded to record in its order,“We may note here that under order dated May 11, it is mentioned that Sri Somendhu Mukherjee is the leader of SIT. The question is, in absence of head of SIT, whether investigation could have proceeded?”.The Court also asked whether Mukherjee had transferred his authority as the SIT head to any other senior officer..The observations were made during the hearing of a batch of petitions challenging the order of the Bengaluru Commissioner of Police to form the SIT to probe the defamation complaint filed by former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi in relation to sexual harassment allegations against him..[Ramesh Jarkiholi Sex Tape] Karnataka High Court seeks response from Jarkiholi, SIT on plea by victim to quash honey trap complaint against her.The Court noted that the crux of the petitions was to challenge the legality and validity of the constitution of the SIT along with the authority of the SIT to carry out investigation in the matter.As the hearing came to a close, Senior Advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the victim, said.“All findings of SIT have been released to the Press. Kindly pass a restraining order not to pass any more details on the investigation.".This was refuted by Advocate General Prabhuling Navadgi, appearing for the SIT."I would deny that SIT has given out investigation."“It is obvious that someone has given the details”, Jaising shot back.At this point, CJ Oka interjected to say,“Madam, let us go through the report, then we will consider it.”.The matter will be next heard on August 12.