Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Apr 16: The state High Court on Wednesday April 15, took IAS officer B P Kaniram, IPS officers Prashant Kumar Thakur, Dr Mahesh and department officer Dr R K Raju for reviving a lapsed inter-state permit and then renewing it.

"It is unfortunate that irresponsible and in-eligible officers like these, who are unable to understand rules, work in the government. It is regrettable that these officers, who have been assigned with responsible tasks by reposing faith on their experience in this profession, have been functioning in a way which does not behoove the positions they hold," the High Court said.

An inter-state permit issued to a person named A V Gopal had expired in 2003. Kaniram and Prashant Kumar revived the permit, claiming that the then chief minister had recommended for the same. Raju and Mahesh renewed the same in March, 2008.

A person named Veerabhadrappa had approached the High Court against these acts. The Judges, who took the dereliction of duty by these officers seriously, felt that the reviving and renewing of the permit seems to have been backed by some other objective. Prima facie, it has been established that these officers have been hoodwinking people just to protect a person, they opined.

The judges also asked the chief secretary of the government to seek explanation from the guilty officers on the reasons for their conduct in this case.