Karnataka Lokayukta corruption case: BJP will hasten process to remove Lokayukta

Bengaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to expedite the process to remove Lokayukta Y. Bhaskar Rao, who is under the scanner after his son Ashwin Y. was arrested on charges of corruption at the Lokayukta institution. Two separate petitions are being prepared by the Assembly and Council members.

The party chief whip in the Upper House, Mr Ganesh Karnic, told Deccan Chronicle that after the new amendments to the Lokayukta Act, at least 25 signatures are needed in the Upper House to give a petition seeking the removal of the Lokayukta, while in the Lower House, the minimum number of signatures required is 75.

“We, the Upper House members, have already got 14 signatures. We could not get all the 25 signatures because of the BBMP elections. From Tuesday, we will expedite the process. We have a better floor coordination with the JD(S), and getting the help of members from that party will not be a problem,” he said.

In the draft petition addressed to Council Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy, a copy of which is available with DC, the members have explained in detail the allegations against the family members of Justice Bhaskar Rao, his son’s operations running out of the Lokayukta’s official residence and the SIT finally catching up with the accused.

“The developments in the case have proved prima facie that Justice Rao failed to stop his own family members from indulging in corruption. His conduct was not up to the mark. Therefore, we request you to immediately remove the Lokayukta,” the petition stated. Mr Karnic said that a special session is not needed after the petition is submitted.

The chairman or speaker, if convinced, can send the petition to the high court chief justice with a request to order a probe. The Chief Justice, in turn, will order a probe with a deadline of three months.