The former Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde has said that the initial enthusiasm shown by the ruling and opposition parties to pass the amendment to the Lokayukta Act appears to have waned.
“I am perplexed and still searching for the reasons for the government to dilly-dally on removing Y. Bhaskar Rao as the Lokayukta using the new provisions… All that is required was the signature of 70 legislators in a petition to the Speaker of the Assembly, and the Speaker would have no option but to refer the matter to the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka. He in turn would form a three-member judges’ committee to look into the complaints. The Lokayukta would have to lay down the office after the HC forms the committee,” he said.
Mr. Hegde told reporters here on Saturday that it was unfortunate that the Lokayukta was in a state of limbo after Mr. Bhaskar Rao went on leave. While the prevention of corruption cases are dealt by the Lokayukta police, public grievances have to be heard and disposed of by the Lokayukta himself.
Asked whether he proposes to meet the Chief Minister and leaders of the opposition on this issue, Mr. Hegde said, “I and other like-minded friends such as H.S. Doreswamy and S.R. Hiremath would not hesitate to meet anybody to get rid of this Lokayukta.”
He said if Mr. Bhaskar Rao returns to duty, people would have no alternative but to resume the agitation. On whether the reputation the Lokayukta office had taken a beating, Mr. Hegde said, “This was only a temporary phenomena. The Lokayukta in Karnataka is one of the powerful organisations in the country and it will regain its glory after the appointment of a person with good character and sound judicial knowledge and integrity.”
