The blame game over who was responsible for the abrupt transfer of Lokayukta ADGP Jeevan Kumar Gaonkar at a time when he was probing several high profile and sensitive cases, continues with Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda holding former PM H.D. Deve Gowda responsible for this.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Sadananda Gowda tried to brush aside the controversy saying there was no need to attach much importance to the transfer. “We did not intend to protect or punish anyone. Following a threat call by the former PM, Mr Gaonkar wrote to the chief secretary saying that he had been put in an embarrassing situation. To save him from embarrassment, Gaonkar was transferred,’’ he said.

When asked about the credibility of new ADGP, H.N. Sathyanarayan Rao, and DIG Arun Chakravarthy, Mr Gowda said the only complaint against Rao was that he had failed to execute warrants against former minister Janardhan Reddy. The government had sought the opinion of the Advocate General before appointing him, he said. He declined to answer questions on Arun Chakravarthy, saying that the appointment was made to a vacant post. When asked about his credibility, the CM said he was not aware of any misdeed by the officer.

When asked if the government would initiate action against the former PM and his family for threatening Gaonkar, the CM said he had initiated an inquiry into the issue and would take a decision once it was complete. On the appointment of the new Lokayukta, Mr Gowda gave enough hints that Justice S.R. Bannurmath was the final choice of the government. He said he had led a delegation to the Governor and had explained to him the procedures followed while recommending the list of judges for the Ayukta’s post. When asked if the government had sent a fresh list of nominees, the CM said all he did was clarify doubts raised by the Governor.