BENGALURU: V. Bhaskar alias 420 Bhaskar, the accused in the Lokayukta corruption case, is reportedly making startling revelations before the Special Investigation Team officials probing the case. He has reportedly told the interrogators that other officials in the Lokayukta institution are running their own syndicate to extort public servants.
Sources in the SIT told Deccan Chronicle that Bhaskar confessed about his involvement in the case. “He revealed that Ashwin Yerabati, Lokayukta Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao’s son and prime accused in the case, was in touch with each of the gang members personally. Ashwin was allegedly very close to Joint Commissioner (PRO) Syed Riyaz and they extorted several government officials. In some cases, Ashwin extorted money from officials with the help of one gang member, while keeping the other members in the dark. He reportedly used all the members individually to extort money, according to Bhaskar’s statement,” an official said.
Bhaskar reportedly confessed about his direct involvement in the extortion racket and told the interrogators that he was doing it for the last few years. “He confessed that he was part of the extortion racket and got money from several government officials in the last few years. He converted the extorted black money into white by investing on property and paying tax for it. Though he paid exorbitant amounts for the properties and sold it for even higher prices, he has shown lesser price while registering the properties,” the official said.
Further, he also allegedly revealed that corruption within the Lokayukta institution is deep rooted as most of the top officials of the anti-corruption agency are allegedly running their own syndicates to extort public servants. “He claims that there 4-5 other teams which are involved in extorting money from public servants and the teams are managed by some of the top officials of the Lokayukta. But it is difficult to believe it as we suspect he could be making baseless statements to mislead the probe. We need to question him more on this angle. Moreover, no official has come forward to file a complaint in this regard,” the official added.
BBMP officials inspired Bhaskar
Asked why he started extorting public servants, he reportedly told the interrogators, Bhaskar pointed to rampant corruption by BBMP officials. “Most of the contractors claim bills at least three times for a single project and they (BBMP officials) sanction the bill amount as they are getting a good share in it. When they are looting people’s money like this, what is wrong if I take a small cut in it,” the official said, quoting Bhaskar.
Court rejects bail plea of Riyaz, aides
The Lokayukta Special Court, on Friday, dismissed the bail petitions of four accused in the Lokayukta corruption case, and extended their judicial custody till August 27. The accused – Lokayukta Joint Commissioner (PRO) Syed Riyaz, Ashok Kumar, journalist M.B. Srinivasa Gowda and Shankare Gowda – are expected to move the High Court against the Lokayukta Court order.
The prosecution had objected to the bail petitions of the accused, saying that the nature of the offence was serious, they were involved in multiple cases, and that the investigation was still on.
Judge V.G. Bopaiah dismissed the bail petitions, saying the offence was serious.
The advocates of the four accused have reportedly decided to move the High Court seeking bail, as it is the only option left before them.
