Administrative action under the Karnataka Lokayukta Act is limited to cognate administrative conduct, excluding wealth-amassing allegations.

The word "action" in Section 2(1) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984 is confined to administrative action, including decisions, recommendations, findings, omissions or other cognate administrative conduct. Applying ejusdem generis to Section 7, the phrase "in any other manner" cannot be expanded to cover non-administrative conduct unconnected with such action. The wide definition of "allegation" does not enlarge Section 7(2), because investigation remains limited to complaints concerning "action" within Section 2(1). Allegations of amassing wealth by a public servant therefore do not fall within that expression, and investigation on that basis is not maintainable.

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Issues: Whether the word "action" in Section 2(1) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984 includes allegations of amassing wealth by a public servant so as to permit investigation under Section 7(2).

Analysis: The statutory scheme confines the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta to investigation of administrative action. The definition of "action" in Section 2(1) extends to administrative action taken by way of decision, recommendation, finding, or other like administrative manner, including wilful failure or omission to act. Read in context with Section 7, the expression "in any other manner" must be confined by ejusdem generis to other forms of administrative action and cannot be enlarged to cover conduct having no nexus with administrative action. The wide definition of "allegation" does not enlarge the scope of Section 7(2), because investigation under that provision remains restricted to complaints in respect of "action" within Section 2(1).

Conclusion: The allegation of amassing wealth does not fall within "action" under Section 2(1), and investigation under Section 7(2) was not maintainable on that basis.

Ratio Decidendi: The expression "action" in Section 2(1) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984 is limited to administrative action and cognate matters by application of ejusdem generis, and cannot be extended to non-administrative conduct merely because it is alleged against a public servant.

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