Today, On 27th September, The Karnataka High Court refused to quash the FIR filed against members of the State Bar Council in a misappropriation case. KSBC Chairperson Vishalaraghu HL and Vice-Chairperson Vinay B Mangalekar had petitioned to dismiss the charges, but the court rejected their plea. The case involves allegations of financial misconduct.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday declined to dismiss the First Information Report (FIR) filed against two officials of the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) accused of embezzling funds intended for an event.
Justice M Nagaprasanna rejected the petition submitted by KSBC Chairperson Vishalaraghu HL and Vice-Chairperson Vinay B Mangalekar, who sought to quash the FIR against them.
A detailed order from the Court is still awaited.
The FIR lodged on April 17, following a complaint by KSBC and Senior Advocate Basavaraj S.
According to the complaint, KSBC organized an advocates’ convention in Mysuru last August. A total of Rs.3.3 crore raised for the event from various sources, including Rs. 1.16 crore in donations from advocates and others, Rs.1 crore from the State government, and Rs. 75 lakh from KSBC’s own funds.
In the complaint, Basavaraj alleged that the accused fabricated documents and falsified accounts to show that Rs.3.12 crore spent on the convention, while misappropriating the funds for personal use.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) set up a three-member committee on April 12 to investigate the matter.
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On April 19, the High Court temporarily halted the FIR and paused further legal proceedings against the KSBC members.
Senior Advocate Udaya Holla represented the KSBC Chairman, while Basavaraj represented himself in court.
The case highlights concerns about governance and accountability within legal professional bodies and raises broader issues about transparency and ethical conduct in managing public funds.
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