BANGALORE: The Lokayukta police have decided to file charge-sheets against all government officials charged with corruption without waiting for government sanction.

The decision was taken at a meeting of superintendents of the Lokayukta police held here on Monday and Tuesday. It was attended by Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde, Upa Lokayukta G. Patri Basavanagoud and Additional Director General of Police (Lokayukta) Lalrokhuma Pachuau.

The move follows last week's Supreme Court judgment saying that no prior sanction of the Government was required to proceed against officers charged with corruption.

Mr. Pachuau told the police officers assembled at the meeting to file charge-sheets in all the 110 cases pending with the Government for sanction. This includes the case of Indian Police Service officer Kempaiah that has been pending since 1993. In the case of Mr. Kempaiah, the Lokayukta Police's request for prosecution sanction has been rejected by the Government thrice.

The other officers against whom charge-sheets will be filed include IAS officers P.B. Ramamurthy and I.R. Perumal; IFS officer S. Shantappa; and Karnataka Administrative Service officers C. Somashekar, A. Marigowda and Basappa Reddy.

The Lokayukta was handicapped for want of government sanction to prosecute officials under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Despite repeated pleas, the Government was not forthcoming with the sanction thus putting the Lokayukta in an embarrassing position.

At the two-day meeting, the Lokayukta police officers were told about the judgment. Quoting from the judgement, Mr. Hegde said the Supreme Court had provided immunity to government officials against criminal action for acts done in discharge of official duty.

"The apex court has made it clear that this immunity does not apply to officials who act for their own pleasure or benefit," Mr. Hegde said.

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