The big, fat scam: 169 bureaucrats paid Rs 200 crore to Lokayukta’s son?

Bengaluru: The issue of graft in Lokayukta, which has tarnished the image of the institution, dominated proceedings in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday with members of BJP alleging that the ombudsman’s son, Ashwin, extorted more than Rs 200 crores from 169 bureaucrats.

Former law minister S Suresh Kumar, who initiated the debate, charged that over 169 bureaucrats, including an officer of the rank of additional chief secretary paid money to Mr Ashwin and his three associates, while leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar said the amount exceeded Rs 200 crores.

Terming the foursome as extra-constitutional authorities, Mr Suresh Kumar asked: “The state wants to know who these people are? The institution, which had to curb corruption, was inducing ordinary bureaucrats to become corrupt, and collect money for some people in Lokayukta. Mr Syed Riyaz, the PRO, who had to boost the image of the organization, was working to cater to the needs of these people. The message from the House should be loud and clear, asking the Lokayukta to go. We cannot build one more institution, which was a model to the country, but we have to save it.”

Charging that the SIT formed by the government would be a “sitting duck,” Mr Suresh Kumar urged the government to handover the investigation to CBI. Mr Shettar charged that the Lokayukta selectively targeted people and mentioned how FIRs were filed against former chief ministers B S Yeddyurappa and H D Kumaraswamy on the basis of a report submitted by CAG.

Home minister K.J. George and information minister Roshan Baig alleged that BJP leaders were trying to protect Mr Yeddyurappa. However, Mr Govind Karjol and Mr Suresh Kumar said the issue was being probed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Lokayukta had violated Supreme Court ruling in 2G case by overlooking powers of legislature.

The House witnessed an interesting debate over whether charges against Mr Ashwin should be debated as a senior Congress legislator said the Lokayukta’s son and his associates were neither public servants nor persons of eminence. “He is just a criminal, we should not glorify some alleged criminals who could use it to their advantage.” Mr Jagadish Shettar took the government to task, saying villagers who were agitating for drinking water, were arrested and sent to prison while Mr Ashwin, against whom FIR had been lodged a month ago, was still at large.

Ashwin Rao

Governor can axe him: Former Judge M.F. Saldanha

Noted former Judge of the Karnataka High Court, M.F. Saldanha, told Deccan Chronicle, “If Justice Bhaskar Rao does not resign, then I think the government must step in.” Ending the ambiguity and confusion on who could axe the Lokayukta, he said, “The Governor is the appointing authority of the state Lokayukta. So he also has the power to remove him.”

“I would like to recall a previous incident when former Lokayukta Santosh Hegde tendered his resignation following some unwarranted developments,” he said. “At the same time, I was in a meeting with the then governor, H.R. Bhardwaj. He had informed me that as governor he is the appointing authority of Lokayukta and his removal also vests with him.

Bhardwaj had however refused to accept Hegde’s resignation. But the removal of Lokayukta is clearly mentioned in the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984 and he can be removed in procedural manner.”