Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde has termed as baseless statements holding him responsible for the then Ramakrishna Hegde Government withdrawing suo motu powers of the Lokayukta in 1986.
“Let them show the file related to this issue. The statements are being made without possessing the file related to a matter that occurred more than two decades ago. Where is the basis for such allegations,” Mr. Hegde told The Hindu on Wednesday.
Mr. Hegde said he was Advocate-General between 1984 and 1988 when the late A. Lakshmisagar was Law Minister. It was in June 1986 that the then Ramakrishna Hegde Government brought in amendments to the Karnataka Lokayukta Act.
“In those days, there was a practice of not referring to the Advocate-General any matter that related to legislation. The Law Department was involved in the making of laws. It was under special circumstances that matters were being referred to the Advocate-General,” he said.
Mr. Hegde, however, said: “I cannot deny of not being a part of the process of bringing in amendments. The matter is more than two decades old and I do not remember having participated in such an exercise. Let them show me the file and I will react if it's needed. However, a lot has changed in the circumstances prevailing two decades ago and now.”
