The High court bench in an order stated that the claim made by Abhay Patil, that prior permission be sought for the investigation was dismissed by the court and stated that as currently he is not in office, no permission is required.
Lokayukta teams on December 15, 2012 had simultaneously conducted raids on a residential house and four firms belonging to then Belgaum South MLA Abhay Patil.
Five teams of Lokayukta from Bangalore had raided the house of the BJP MLA on Hosur Road, his office and rice mills on old PB Road, Dev Developers at Angol and S G Constructions at Tilakwadi around 5 am. Sources said that the teams verified various documents related to the assets. Sujeet Mulgund, a social worker a had filed a complaint at Belgaum Lokayukta Court alleging that Abhay Patil amassed wealth illegally after he became the MLA and sought a probe.