Lokayukta scam: Bhaskar Rao to be off the hook?

BENGALURU: Former Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao, is likely to be let off the hook by the SIT, which is probing an extortion racket, within the Lokayukta institution.

The SIT has reportedly decided not to consider Justice Rao as an accused, as there is not enough evidence against him.

Sources in the SIT told DC, that the SIT, is now making preparations to file additional charge sheets in the five FIR’s registered in connection with  the extortion scam.

“As of now, we are not going to consider Justice Rao as an accused, as there is no clinching evidence against him, but if we get any crucial evidence, he will be named as an accused and it will be submitted to court at any time,” said an official.

It is learnt that the SIT has a few links, which when connected could make Justice Rao an accused, but they (evidence) are reportedly vague and not strong enough to consider him an accused.

Justice Rao, resigned in the month of December, following an impeachment motion moved against him in the state legislature.

An official further stated that these additional charge sheets will have startling details, never mentioned in previous charge sheets. (It may be recalled that the SIT had filed primary charge sheets in all the cases.)

“The additional charge sheets are being scrutinised by legal experts, before being submitted to court in 10 days. Although earlier charge sheets contained details of the investigation, we now have a lot of clarity on the case. We have more evidence than we had earlier, which is going to be submitted along with the charge sheet,” the official said.

He also mentioned that the additional charge sheets would list the names of persons which would spell trouble for them. However, he did not wish to reveal the names clearly as it would lead to more arrests.

“It would not be appropriate at this stage, to reveal any names, as the charge sheet is still under scrutiny,” he added.