STATE BY C.B.I., BANGALORE vs S. BANGARAPPA — Crl.A. No. 997/2000

Case Summary: The Supreme Court set aside the Karnataka High Court's order quashing corruption proceedings against former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa. The CBI had charged him under the Prevention of Corruption Act for accumulating assets worth ₹1.16 crore against known income of ₹30 lakhs (1988-1997). The Supreme Court held that the High Court erred in: (1) finding the CBI investigation defective under Section 17 of the Act—CBI, as a Delhi Special Police Establishment, was authorized to conduct the investigation through an Inspector of Police; (2) questioning the trial court's jurisdiction—a valid 1990 notification appointed the XXI City Civil and Sessions Judge as Special Judge; and (3) evaluating witness credibility at the charge-framing stage—the court should only determine if prima facie evidence exists, not assess its worth. The Court directed the trial to proceed expeditiously, noting that the public servant's opportunity to explain excess assets arises during trial, not earlier. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.