The Karnataka High Court has issued a significant order in the widely discussed eco-friendly bags procurement case, directing the state government to grant sanction for prosecuting senior IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri. The court made it clear that when there is sufficient material on record indicating allegations of corruption, such claims cannot be dismissed at the threshold, and the process of investigation must be allowed to proceed in the interest of justice.
Details of the Eco-Bags Procurement Allegations
The case pertains to the procurement of eco-friendly bags in the year 2021 for various local bodies in Mysuru district. It is alleged that during Rohini Sindhuri’s tenure—when she was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru as well as Managing Director of Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation (KHDC)—the bags were purchased at rates significantly higher than the prevailing market price. According to the complaint, while the market rate per bag was around ₹13, the procurement was done at ₹52 per bag, resulting in an alleged loss of approximately ₹7.5 crore to the state exchequer.
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Government’s Repeated Refusal and Court Challenges
The matter was brought forward by a lawyer and social activist from Mysuru, who filed a complaint seeking action under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. However, in September 2022, the state government declined to grant sanction for prosecution. Challenging this decision, the petitioner approached the High Court.
In February 2025, the High Court directed the state government to reconsider the matter afresh. Despite this, in May 2025, the government once again refused to grant approval, citing that Rohini Sindhuri had been exonerated in departmental inquiry proceedings, and therefore criminal prosecution was not warranted.
High Court’s Strong Directive on Investigation
Dissatisfied with the repeated denial, the petitioner moved the High Court again. During the latest hearing, the court expressed strong disapproval of the government’s stance. It observed that despite clear earlier directions, the government failed to undertake a meaningful re-evaluation and merely reiterated its earlier position, which was not in line with judicial expectations.
The court categorically stated that departmental proceedings and criminal prosecution operate in distinct spheres, governed by different standards and objectives. An exoneration in a departmental inquiry does not automatically nullify the need for a criminal investigation. The court noted that once the shadow of corruption is raised on the basis of material available on record, it cannot be summarily extinguished at the initial stage. The truth, it emphasized, can only be established through a proper investigation.
Further, the High Court remarked that repeatedly remanding the matter back to the government, only to receive the same decision, would lead to unnecessary delays in justice. In view of this, the court directly instructed the Chief Secretary to proceed with granting the required sanction for prosecution to ensure that a fair and impartial investigation can take place.
Implications for Corruption Cases
With this order, the path is now clear for investigating agencies to initiate criminal proceedings and take further action against Rohini Sindhuri, if warranted. The ruling is being seen as a crucial example of judicial intervention to uphold administrative accountability in cases involving allegations of corruption.
Legal experts believe that the judgment will serve as an important precedent in future cases where criminal prosecution is stalled on the basis of departmental findings. The High Court has sent a strong message that corruption allegations cannot be brushed aside merely on procedural grounds and that a thorough, unbiased investigation remains essential in every such case.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
