Register suo motu case to put an end to the practice of giving 'plum' postings for money: Single Judge of Karnataka High Court

A single-judge of the Karnataka High Court has urged the Chief Justice of the High Court to register a suo moto case against the State Government to put an end to the pernicious practice of providing government postings for monetary considerations and reasons other than public interest (Jayamma v State of Karnataka)..Justice R Devdas, in an order passed on March 15, observed that 'plum' postings are frequently assigned for monetary considerations in the State. This has been published by newspapers and magazines, time and again, said the Single Judge. "Every now and then the citizens of this State are given to understand that 'plum' postings are assigned for monetary considerations. Such news and information are published in national newspapers, magazines, Television channels and social media. Allegations are levelled by the opposition leaders and social activists. Cutting across all political parties that have formed Government, allegations are leveled against Heads of the Departments, Ministers and the Chief Ministers," the order noted. .It is the need of the hour to have certain regulations in place to check corruption in the State. This calls for an interference by the Court, the judge added. ."Therefore, this Court would urge that Hon'ble the Chief Justice may take note of the observations of this Court and take up suo motu proceedings against the State Government to put an end to the pernicious practice of providing postings for monetary considerations and reasons other than public interest," the Court said. .The Court made these observations while hearing a case relating to the "high-handedness" of the Tahsildar and Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Bengaluru South Taluk, who acted contrary to law in a matter related to grant of land. .“The AC (the petitioner) and the tahsildar have made a concerted effort, abusing their office, to take possession of the properties, demolish the structures and buildings, which were in possession of the rightful owners or tenants,” Justice R Devdas noted. Such officers, the Court added, are emboldened by the fact that they are protected by the Government. .The Court observed that such conduct might have happened as the postings to such importance may not have been made on merits but on extraneous reasons.."There cannot be two views that if an officer shells out money to get a plum posting, he would employ every means possible to recover the money he has invested and makes every effort to make money for future needs and therefore, this forms the vicious circle of corruption. Time has come when this Court has to step in to find out the truth of the facts and direct the State to put in place regulations to check the tentacles of corruption from taking stranglehold of the society.".With these observations, the bench proceeded to urge the Chief Justice to take up this issue suo motu. .It also directed the court registry to forward the order copy to the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Revenue, for further action. .[Read Order]