BENGALURU: Amidst mounting pressure on Lokayukta Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao to resign following allegations of corruption in the anti-corruption agency, Mr Rao on Friday handed over the investigation of the case to the Central Crime Branch.
“In the light of recent developments, it is felt that in the interest of natural justice and fair play, a probe be conducted into the issues by an outside agency having necessary technical competence. In exercise of powers vested with the Lokayukta under Section 15 (3) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, the matter has been entrusted herewith for further inquiry and speedy report, to the Joint Commissioner (Crime), Central Crime Branch, Chandrashekhar. A report in this regard shall be submitted to the Registrar of Lokayukta as expeditiously as possible,” Mr Rao said in a press conference on Friday.
Asked whether he would resign claiming moral responsibility, Mr Rao said he will not. “If any investigation finds my involvement, then I will definitely step down. As the matter pertains to the allegations against the office of the Lokayukta itself, the police wing of the Lokayukta shall not entertain or enquire into any such complaint related to this matter. The inquiry which was earlier handed over to the Lokayukta IGP and SP will immediately be transferred to the CCB. All documents and relevant information shall be handed over to CCB for speedy inquiry and report,” he said.
Reacting to a newspaper report mentioning the names of Krishna Rao and Ashwin Rao, who allegedly demanded '1 crore from an executive engineer, Mr Rao said that Ashwin Rao was his son, but denied his involvement in the alleged corruption. “I don’t know who is Krishna Rao. I did not have any secretary by that name,” he clarified.
He said that a committee will be set up to keep a watch on those who visit the Lokayukta office. “The committee will include the Registrar, ADGP, IGP and other officials to keep tab on those who visit the Lokayukta office,” he said.
AAP demands Lokayukta’s resignation
Members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday demanded that Lokayukta Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao should resign immediately. “The fact that the alleged bribe demand was made in the house of Mr Rao itself is shocking. Mr Rao should take the responsibility and step down immediately. The people who demanded bribe claiming as Krishna Rao and Ashwin Rao should be arrested. Also, we demand the government to set up a committee headed by former Lokayukta Justice N. Santosh Hegde to investigate into the allegations,” the members said.
