17. Intentional insult or interruption to or bringing into disrepute the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta.
(1)Whoever intentionally insults or causes any interruption to the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta while the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta is conducting any investigation or inquiry under this Act shall, on conviction be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but may extend to one year or with fine, or with both.(2)Whoever, by words spoken or intended to be read, makes or publishes any statement or does any other act, which is calculated to bring the Lokayukta or an Upalokayukta into disrepute, shall, on conviction, be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but may extend to one year or with fine, or with both.(3)The provisions of section 199 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, shall apply in relation to an offence under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) as they apply in relation to an offence referred to in sub-section (1) of the said section 199, subject to the modification that no complaint in respect of such offence shall be made by the Public Prosecutor except with the previous sanction of the Lokayukta or the concerned Upalokayukta:(4)The Court may for any adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgment impose a lesser sentence of imprisonment and fine.
