Castigating the State government for not moving an inch further since August 2023 on holding inquiries against alleged illegality by contractors in executing works, the High Court of Karnataka made it clear that it will order the release of the entire amount due to the contractors without permitting the inquiry to go on further if the same is not completed within six weeks from Tuesday.
The court also expressed shock over “not moving a spec of papers after setting up of the one-man inquiry commission despite specific directions issued by the court on December 13, 2023, to complete the inquiry within 45 days and submit the report to the court.”
Justice M. Nagaprasanna made these observations while hearing petitions filed by Nikshep Infra Projects and 44 other contractors questioning the legality of the inquiry and delay in the release of thousands of crores of rupees due to them despite the issuance of completion certificates by the competent authority about satisfactory completion of civil works long ago.
