Probing Lokayukta: It’s over to the state

Bengaluru: In a sudden turn of events, Lokayukta Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao, who had asked the Central Crime Branch (CCB) to investigate allegations of corruption within the institution, on Sunday decided to request the state government to appoint any other independent agency to conduct the inquiry.

The decision comes after Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) M. Chandrashekar writing to Justice Rao on Saturday, requesting him to reconsider the direction of the Lokayukta to hand over the case to the CCB, headed by Mr Chandrashekar. He had explained to Justice Rao that a case against his father-in-law was pending with the Lokayukta and he investigating the case would lead to conflict of interest.

A day after receiving the letter, Justice Rao decided to write to the state government requesting it to appoint an independent agency to probe the case. “Considering the best interest of the institution, fairness and independence, and to maintain integrity and purity of the institution, the Lokayukta has decided to request the Government of Karnataka to appoint any other independent agency to conduct an inquiry into the allegations,” a release from his office stated. But it is not known whether he has already written to the government.

But sources in the Lokayukta office said Justice Rao could send a letter to the government on Monday. Justice Rao’s decision to hand over the investigation to the CCB, which comes under his purview, had been criticised by various circles. They had pointed out that he cannot choose the investigating agency when the allegation is against his family members. Even Upalokayukta Subhash B. Adi had aired his opinion against the CCB probe.

The attention is now on which agency the government will refer the case to. Before Justice Rao announced his decision to leave it to the government to decide the investigating agency, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in Mysuru on Sunday that there is no question of handing over the case to the CBI. Reacting to former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde’s comments that the state government should take the responsibility of the investigation, Mr Siddaramaiah said, “The Lokayukta is an autonomous body, and we absolutely have no control over it. Then how will we be held responsible? There is no logic in it.” The government will not intervene or interfere in Lokayukta’s affairs, he categorically said.

“The government should refer the case to the CBI. I learnt that the chief minister has a made a statement that the government will not hand it over to the CBI. But I request the chief minister to refer it to the central investigating agency for a fair and impartial probe.”

Setting up any other independent committee will yield no results, he said.

“There are so many reports submitted by various committees that have not been implemented. I don't think setting up any committee will serve the purpose. It is a fit case to be handed over to the CBI,” Justice Hegde insisted. Many other organisations have also said that truth will come out only if the case is handed over to the CBI.