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2020 (1) TMI 1460 - CHHATTISGARH HIGH COURTSeeking an appropriate writ/order/direction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register an FIR (First Information Report) and investigate the matter - Seeking for initiating departmental proceedings against the respondents - seeking direction to conduct audit of the accounts maintained by the State Resource Center - HELD THAT:- It requires serious notice that the petitioner alleges large scale bungling and siphoning of public funds which may run into hundreds of crores or even more than thousand crores. The report along with submission memo of the respondent/State partially admits of certain financial irregularities, however, no serious attempt has been made to unearth and find out as to who has siphoned the amount. Only some notices for departmental action have been issued without registering any offence for misuse of public funds of such enormous proportion. Public office cannot be a place for acquiring personal gain. Probity in public life is of great importance. Corruption is an enemy of nation and tracking down corrupt public servant, howsoever high he may be, and punishing such person is a necessary mandate under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and the Indian Penal Code. The public officers arrayed as the respondents No.15 to 26 are high ranked officers and it seems to be the precise reason why the respondent State is reluctant to investigate the crime to find out as to whether any criminal offence has been committed or not, however, when startling and disturbing facts have been brought to our notice with, prima facie, proof, this Court cannot shun its constitutional duty and be a mute spectator to condone such lapses, if it is eventually find out in a fair and independent investigation - The respondent officers being high ranked, there is apprehension that the investigation may be influenced, it is directed that the matter be investigated by the CBI in a fair and independent manner. Petition disposed off.
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