Lokayukta wants probe by independent agency

Following widespread criticism from various quarters of civil society and opposition from Upalokayukta Subhash B. Adi, Lokayukta Y. Bhaskar Rao on Sunday requested the State government to appoint “any independent agency to conduct a free and fair probe into the allegations” of corruption in the Lokayukta office and against his son.

However, responding to demands from civil society members for his resignation — as allegations have been made against his son — Mr. Rao, speaking exclusively to The Hindu , defended himself, saying there was “no need to resign”.

He argued that since an independent probe had been sought, there was no need for him to step down at this juncture.

This comes a day after Joint Commissioner (Crime) M. Chandrasekhar, whom Mr. Rao declared on Friday would probe the allegations, wrote back to him to reconsider the decision, citing conflict of interest.

The Lokayukta’s declaration that Mr. Chandrasekhar would probe the case had also evoked opposition from Mr. Adi, who had demanded that the Lokayukta write to the government seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

However, Mr. Rao, in his letter to the government, does not specifically recommend a CBI probe. He defended this by saying it was not on his part to suggest what the government should do and hence had only recommended a probe by “any independent agency”.