Bengaluru: The demand for a CBI probe into corruption charges in the Karnataka Lokayukta intensified on Saturday, with former ombudsman Justice N. Santosh Hegde seeking inquiry by the premier agency and slamming the state government for ordering an SIT probe instead.
“As graft charges against some officials in the Lokayukta office and bribe charge against son (Ashwin Rao) of ombudsman Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao are grave, only a CBI probe will bring out the truth and not an SIT, which is a fact-finding body,” Hegde told reporters here.
The state government on June 29 set up the Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Additional Director General of Police Kamal Pant, on the request of Bhaskar Rao and the Karnataka High Court on July 1 allowed it to probe the charges.
Questioning the inability of the state government in handing over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the former Supreme Court judge said the SIT cannot arrest a person or conduct custodial interrogation under prevailing laws and its terms of reference.
“SIT is a fact-finding body like a commission of inquiry. It does not have legal teeth to proceed against the accused or raid their premises to unearth evidence in the form of documents or other material,” said Hegde.
After retiring from the apex court, Hegde was state Lokayukta for five years from 2006-11 and is well-known for his landmark probe report on the multi-crore mining scam in the state, which led to resignation of then BJP chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa in July 2011 and arrest of a few BJP lawmakers.
Accusing the state government of protecting the Lokayukta whose son was named in a complaint by an executive engineer for allegedly seeking Rs.1 crore bribe to avoid being raided by its police, Hegde said attempts were being made to destroy evidence as bundles of files were seen being taken to Rao’s home.
“I fail to understand why the state government is unwilling to hand over this case to CBI when it could do so in other cases like the death of IAS officer D.K. Ravi recently and the multi-crore lottery scam in which former top and current police officials are allegedly involved. I learnt home minister (K.J. George) is ready to seek a CBI probe into alleged cricket betting in the state,” he noted.
A defiant Rao, who was Karnataka chief justice (1999-2001), however, dismissed abetment charges against him and bribe charge against his son.
“To clear the air and ensure fair probe, I had asked the city crime branch to investigate the charges. When its joint commissioner declined to probe for some reason, I sought an SIT probe under the Karnataka Lokayukta Act,” Rao told IANS, adding he would quit if the charges were proved.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, however, said in the assembly early this week that the state had no power to order a CBI probe into such charges into the anti-graft watchdog.
Besides hundreds of lawyers, rights activists, civil society members and Aam Aadmi Party’s state unit volunteers have been staging demos and taking out processions in the city daily for Rao’s resignation till the probe is completed.
Opposition BJP and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) members sought Rao’s impeachment and removal by amending the Lokayukta Act during the ongoing monsoon session.
BJP, JD(S) and other protesters are doing the right thing by exposing this corruption. Our politicians are all extremely corrupt. Congress party and its leader Tourist should ask our cheap liquor Siddu to initiate CBI inquiry!!
Note: Unlike partisan hacks on this forum who will selectively target parties and individuals, I am opposed to all corrupt parties. This is why my posts are far more superior and trustworthy. (Joker Praveena – Sorry if this gives you severe ajeerna!! smiles)
Original Duplicate, is BJP exposing 350 acres Coffee Estate Scam of Shobha? If they have exposed what did it reveal to you? You must be happy, that is why you are secretive! Is BJP demanding CBI inquiry in Reddy Yeddy Mining Corruption? Half the RSS-BJP Yeddy’s cabinet was in Parappana Agrahara. Now, Modi is saving them from their crimes and corruption! Yet, shamelessly, you are busy in self certification of your own posts. Yet, you claim that your “posts are far superior”! What a pass you have reached! I pity you. There is no body who has any appreciation for… Read more »
Original R.Pai is saying “Unlike partisan hacks on this forum who will selectively target parties and individuals, I am opposed to all corrupt parties. This is why my posts are far more superior and trustworthy.”
Oh really. I don’t think I have seen your comments on Sushma, Raje or for that matter MP CM Shivraj.
This is why my posts are far more superior and trustworthy. – RampaNNA – THE Fr. SUPERIOR
Arre! You are giving yourself MORE and more certificates ya Rampa? At this rate, your visiting card will be as large and colorful as the Times of India and Udayavaani. Smiles.. 🙂
Rampa, please break your fast ya. I’m seriously concerned about your state of health.
Rosh – Do you know how to read? If so, how did you miss my posts on Vasu Raje and Sushama Swaraaja? Go back and read again!!
Oh really. I don’t think I have seen your comments on Sushma, Raje or for that matter MP CM Shivraj.- Mr.Rosh to Mr.Original Sir, Once BJP party president Bangaru Laxman in sting operation said “Paisa Khuda Toh Nahi Par Khuda Ki Kasam Khuda Se Kam Nahi”. (Money isn’t God but, swear on God, it’s no less than God). The party of difference hung is picture in Delhi office ever since in his respect. It did once again with another president Pramod Mahajan who had illicit affair with his brother……… and shot by him. They married with ex-wife Yeddy, Kalyan singh,Reddy,Uma… Read more »
First answer my questions before asking me to answer your questions. Don’t try your taqqiyya tricks here. smiles….