Bengaluru, July 23 (Reporter) The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday ordered a stay on the first information report (FIR) and subsequent proceedings against two Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers involved in the Valmiki Corporation scam investigation. The petitioners had raised crucial questions about the potential misuse of legal provisions against law enforcement officers engaged in their official duties. FIR was registered against the two ED Officials on a complaint by a government official who claimed that the ED forced him during his interrogation to name former Congress minister B Nagendra and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the case. The Valmiki Corporation scam involves allegations of largescale financial mismanagement and corruption within the Valmiki SC/ST Development Corporation, an entity established to promote the welfare of marginalized communities. The scam, which came to light last year, has implicated several high-ranking officials and politicians, leading to extensive investigations by multiple agencies, including the ED. The two ED officers in question were accused of exceeding their authority and engaging in unlawful activities during their investigation into the scam. The FIR registered against them included charges under Sections 351 and 353 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which pertain to assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging their duty. Justice M Nagaprasanna, in his order, emphasised the need to protect law enforcement officers from retaliatory legal actions that could hinder their ability to perform their duties effectively. He expressed concerns over the potential for such legal provisions to be misused against officers who are simply carrying out their official responsibilities. "If this crime is permitted to be continued, even if it is for an offence under Sections 351 and 353 of the BNS, it would become an abuse of the law against the officers who have performed their duties and in return have cases registered against them," Justice Nagaprasanna stated during the proceedings. With the stay in place, the Karnataka High Court is set to review the evidence and arguments from both sides to determine the legitimacy of the charges against the ED officers. In the meantime, the ongoing investigation into the Valmiki Corporation scam continues, with the ED and other agencies working to uncover the full extent of the alleged corruption...////...