High Court Drops Disproportionate Assets Case Against Officer
The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday quashed the disproportionate assets case registered against government officer Sarfaraz Khan by the Lokayukta police in 2025. The court ruled that the proceedings were unsustainable due to lack of credible evidence and procedural irregularities.
Details of the Case
Sarfaraz Khan, who was serving as private secretary to then Minister for Housing Zameer Ahmed Khan, was booked by the Lokayukta police in 2025 under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The allegations centered on assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, amounting to approximately Rs 2 crore, according to the Lokayukta complaint.
Court's Observations
Justice M. Nagaprasanna, presiding over the case, observed that the Lokayukta had failed to produce sufficient evidence linking the assets to any illegal activity. The court noted that the investigation was conducted without proper verification of Khan's income sources and that the sanction for prosecution was mechanically granted.
"The materials on record do not indicate any conscious possession of disproportionate assets by the petitioner," the judge stated in the order. The court also highlighted that Khan had provided explanations for the assets, including ancestral property and bank loans, which were not adequately examined by the investigating agency.
Impact on Proceedings
With the quashing of the case, all pending proceedings before the special court for Lokayukta cases stand terminated. The order brings relief to Khan, who had been facing the threat of trial for over a year. His counsel argued that the case was politically motivated, an assertion the court did not explicitly address but noted the lack of prima facie material.
Broader Implications
Legal experts say the ruling underscores the need for thorough investigations before booking public servants under the anti-corruption law. The High Court's decision may set a precedent for similar cases where allegations are based on incomplete evidence. The Karnataka government has not announced any plans to appeal the order.
