Bengaluru: High Court allows Lokayukta probe into Athar Ali’s assets

The Karnataka High Court has allowed a Lokayukta police investigation into allegations of disproportionate assets against Athar Ali, deputy controller in the legal metrology department, to continue.

Justice M Nagaprasanna dismissed Ali’s petition seeking to quash the case. The court said the material placed before it warranted an investigation. Lokayukta police registered the case on July 18, 2024, after a preliminary enquiry based on a source report dated June 1, 2024.

According to the Lokayukta’s source report, Ali’s assets and expenditure were allegedly disproportionate to his known income by 155%. Police alleged that a search of his residence found 4.109 kg of gold, while property declarations from March 31, 2018 onwards recorded 1.65 kg. The court also noted allegations concerning diamonds, silver articles, cash and foreign currency.

Investigators have alleged that four apartments held in other names were benami properties and that Ali’s daughters received the rent. The court said these claims must be examined during the investigation rather than decided at this stage. It clarified that its observations do not determine Ali’s guilt and should not affect the investigation or later proceedings.