Scrap Lokayukta, Bhaskar Rao must step down: Former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde

BENGALURU: After the startling accusations of corruption that may have permanently marred the reputation of the country's first ever anti-corruption body - set up by fearless Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde, unafraid to bring his office under its purview - former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde has made the explosive suggestion that it was time for the Lokayukta agency itself to be shut down permanently.

Justice Santosh Hegde, whose probe into the mining scam led to the arrest and jailing of former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and the Reddy brothers, called for the Lokayukta Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao to step down as “there is a direct allegation of corruption against his family members.” “One should have the moral probity to quit whenever there is a serious allegation against yourself or your kith and kin,” he told Deccan Chronicle.

“Especially in the case of  the Lokayukta, there should be no scope for even an ounce of suspicion. If we are doubting the officials of Lokayukta institution, what is the point of having such an institution,” he asked. Justice Hegde also dismissed the Lokayukta’s move to hand the probe to the CCB saying, “there’s no point to it.”

“If the Lokayukta really wanted an impartial probe, he could have written to the state government asking it to take a suitable decision on handing over the case to any other agency. The government would have considered many things. Instead of that, he has referred the case to the CCB, which is not the right agency to probe corruption cases,” Justice Hedge said.

Further, Hegde said that the government should scrutinise the track record of the candidate before appointing that person as as the Lokayukta. “It is important to appoint someone who has a clean record as Lokayukta. It will also help in keeping the institution clean,” he pointed out.

Debate over necessity of ayukta gains momentum Setting off a debate on the necessity of having an agency like Lokayukta and shutting it down, Lokayukta Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao’s
reluctance to step down taking the moral responsibility of the alleged corruption has drawn widespread criticism from various circles.

When there is an example of the previous Lokayukta Justice Shivaraj V. Patil quitting on moral grounds for owning two properties in the city, why can't Justice Rao step down when there are grave allegations of his family members involving in corruption is the question by most people who are demanding his resignation.

However, others say that closing the Lokayukta agency is not the solution. “The state Lokayukta was a reputed anti-corruption wing in the country earlier. It has done many good things. Unfortunately, things are going wrong in Justice Rao’s stint. Its high-time that he claims responsibility for internal corruption and resigns. The government should ensure things will be on right track in the future by appointing a Lokayukta with good credentials,” said Shivakumar, an RTI activist, adding that he was floating a new organisation named ‘Save Lokayukta’ to intensify protests against Justice Rao.

Social activist J.N. Jayashree also said that it was unfortunate that a situation has arisen where a watchdog should be set up to watch the anti-corruption watchdog. “We can not afford to shot down Lokayukta and it is not the solution. Justice Rao should keep the institution above his son and quit immediately, as the integrity and sanctity of the institution is at stake.”