2019 phone tapping case: Karnataka govt proposes fresh inquiry against IPS officer Alok Kumar, CAT stays notice
The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has stayed a notice issued by the Karnataka chief secretary to senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Alok Kumar, Additional Director General of Police, which proposed a departmental inquiry concerning the 2019 phone tapping case.
Kumar argued that the inquiry had already been dropped, as revealed in a Right to Information (RTI) response dated May 6, 2024. He further pointed out that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed a 'B' (closure) report, concluding that there was no evidence linking him to the alleged audio leak. The CBI had questioned him about the alleged illegal phone tapping of politicians and officials, which occurred during the tenure of Janata Dal (Secular) chief minister H D Kumaraswamy.
Kumar alleged that the May 9, 2025, notice, under Rule 8(4) of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeals) Rules, 1969, was issued with questionable timing—just days after the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) had cleared his name for elevation to the post of director general and inspector general of police (DG and IGP). He noted that the DGP had forwarded his profile to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on April 23 for consideration.
Kumar's legal counsel told the tribunal that a prior departmental inquiry on the same matter was concluded, and no action was taken. He also referred to the February 13, 2024, order by the additional chief metropolitan magistrate (ACMM), Bengaluru, which accepted the CBI's closure report in the case. He argued that the fresh notice was issued with malafide intent to obstruct his promotion due on May 21.
CAT Judicial Member B K Srivastava said the case should be heard by a division bench, which is currently unavailable. He passed an interim order staying the May 9 notice until the next hearing on June 10.
The tribunal also issued notices to all respondents, including the chief secretary, and said the division bench may consider interim relief on the next hearing date.
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