Karnataka Lokayukta Bhaskar Rao resigns over alleged extortion racket involving his son
Bengaluru: Facing the prospect of his removal, controversial Karnataka Lokayukta Y. Bhaskar Rao has resigned over an alleged extortion racket in the anti-graft ombudsman’s office involving his son.
Rao, who had resisted growing calls for stepping down following the allegation, had tendered his resignation on Monday and it was accepted by Governor Vajubhai R. Vala on Tuesday, ending months of uncertainty hanging over the institution.
“Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka is pleased to accept the resignation of Dr. Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao, as Lokayukta of Karnataka State with immediate effect,” a Raj Bhavan communique said on Tuesday. Rao is on a long leave since July last after his son Ashwin Rao was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the case.
Read: Karnataka Lokayukta: A ‘tainted’ chapter finally ends
A motion moved by BJP and JDS and also supported by the ruling Congress seeking the removal of Rao is pending before the Karnataka Assembly with the Speaker Kagodu Thimappa considering it before referring the issue to the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice to take the process forward.
According to the Lokayukta Act, recently amended to simplify rules for removal of the anti-graft ombudsman, on admission of the motion, the presiding officers shall refer the matter to the High Court Chief Justice for investigation into the grounds over which the removal is sought. If the charges against the Lokayukta are proved by the inquiry, it is then taken up for consideration and adoption of the motion and sent to the Governor for assent.
The investigation for proof of misbehaviour or incapacity of Lokayukta has to be done as provided in the Judges Act, 1968, by a three-member committee, comprising two judges and a jurist. The scandal surfaced after Lokayukta superintendent of police Sonia Narang wrote a letter to the Registrar of Karnataka Lokayukta about the complaint she received from a person who alleged that someone from the Lokayukta office demanded Rs 1 crore in bribe to avoid a raid.
The SIT has arrested 11 persons, including Ashwin Rao, and registered five cases in connection with the alleged racket. In another development, a motion seeking removal of Upalokayukta Subhash Adi, moved by the Congress but not supported by BJP and JDS, is also before the Assembly.
In their petition against Adi, the ruling party members have accused him of “misuse of office, misconduct and inefficiency”. The Opposition maintains there are no specific charges against Adi and the move against him is an attempt to shut down the Lokayukta institution itself.
Former Upalokayukta S.B. Majage had earlier alleged that Adi had closed a case of misconduct against a medical officer from Hubballi, which was a being handled by him. Following that, some Congress leaders had demanded Adi’s resignation.
The Congress leaders had also alleged that the medical officer was a relative of Opposition BJP leader in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar, during whose Chief Ministership Adi was appointed as the Upalokayukta. Procedure for removal of the Upalokayukta is similar to that for a Lokayukta. The Assembly Speaker has, however, said that he is not convinced with the evidence produced that alleged Adi had shown favouritism and exceeded his jurisdiction.
