Karnataka Lokayukta corruption case: Advocates seek Governor’s intervention, stage protest

BENGALURU: More than 100 advocates staged a protest near Raj Bhavan demanding the Governor to intervene and set in motion the process to remove Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao. The advocates also raised slogans against the Governor, when he refused to meet them.

Advocates led by senior advocate K.N. Subbareddy and others demanded immediate resignation of the Lokayukta. “Justice Rao should take complete responsibility for the corruption in the institution. He should resign immediately as he has no moral right to continue as the Lokayukta. Despite protests by various organisations, Justice Rao is not quitting. Also, Governor is not taking any action, though he is completely aware of the issue,” the agitators said.

Subbareddy said that Justice Rao was supporting those involved in corruption in the Loakyukta. “We won’t stop protests till he resigns. He should resign or at least go on leave till the investigation is completed. As he is not resigning, Governor should intervene immediately and take action against him.”

Meanwhile, the advocates sought the permission to meet the Governor to hand him over a memorandum. After learning that the Governor had not granted permission, they shouted slogans against him. They also tried to barge inside the Raj Bhavan and this led to heated arguments between advocates and police.

Ayukta leaves early

Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao, who usually used to leave office only by evening, left early on Thursday. He came to the office as usual around 10 am, but left at 11.30 am. This led to various speculations including that he would meet the Governor to submit a report on the state of affairs in the institution. However, he did not meet the Governor.