Hubballi: Well before a formal announcement on appointment of Justice Vishwanath Shetty as the Lokayukta, Samaj Parivartan Samudaya president, S.R. Hiremath, on Monday threatened to launch a stir in case the state government chose to recommend his name for the top anti-corruption position.
He told the media here he would commence a protest after consulting freedom fighter H S Doreswamy on January 11 in the light of allegations that Justice Shetty obtained residential sites in the judicial layout despite owning a bungalow in Bengaluru.
Condemning the move of the government to go ahead with the proposal to appoint him as the Lokayukta, he said that attempts were on to belittle the importance of the prestigious anti-corruption institution, adding that he had records to prove that Justice Shetty owned sites in other places as well.
"The committee, comprising the Chief Minister, the Speaker and the leader of Opposition should have thought well before recommending him for the post of Lokayukta as he is facing allegations of committing irregularities in getting residential site in the judicial layout. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is betraying the people by taking such a decision," he added.
Mr Hiremath demanded the government to register criminal cases against officers Chikkarayappa and Jayachandra who have been caught possessing cash and gold. He pointed out that K Laxmikantamma of Indiranagar had complained that both officers had embezzled money by resorting to corrupt methods.
