BENGALURU: The controversy over moves by the ruling Congress to oust Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash Adi took a new turn with leaders of the state unit of BJP releasing copies of recommendation letters issued by public works minister Dr H.C. Mahadevappa and excise minister Vinay Kulkarni for appointment of RTI activist Mohan Beerappa Maliger, who along with V S Ugrappa, MLC, alleged that a megabuck scam in Hubbali-Dharwad Corporation was ignored by Justice Adi, as information commissioner.
Mr. Maligera, advocate by profession, had filed RTI application against Justice Adi, on the issue of crossing his jurisdiction while probing certain cases. The state government has decided to reward the RTI activist by appointing him as information commissioner for levelling allegations against the Upa Lokayukta, thus exposing its nexus with Mr Maligera, former minister Suresh Kumar alleged while speaking to the media here on Tuesday.
Mr. Suresh Kumar released copies of recommendation letters of Dr Mahadevappa and Mr Vinay Kulkarni, both requesting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to appoint Mr Maligera as information commissioner.
Mr. Kulkarni has stated in his letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on November 25, “Advocate Mohan Beerappa Maligera belongs to backward classes Halumatha community and an RTI activist, has attained rich experience about the procedures of Right to Information Act. Issue necessary directions to concerned person to appoint him as the Commissioner of Information Commission”. Dr. Mahadevappa has recommended Mr Maligera’s candidature on November 27, requesting the Chief Minister to appoint him as the Commissioner of Information Commission.
He too has stated “Mr Maligera has rich experience in filing appeals in the Information Commission, thus his name be considered for the post”. Consequent on such recommendations by two ministers, Mr. Maligera addressed the media along with Mr Ugrappa and released documents against Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash Adi, added Mr. Suresh Kumar.
The BJP leader alleged that the state government was trying to gather evidence after moving the motion for ouster of Justice Adi, a move which was against the legal jurisprudence. Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa too has spoken about insufficient evidence against the Upa Lokayukta, added Mr. Suresh Kumar.
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