BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has declared that he is ready to face a probe by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) vis-à-vis his luxe wristwatch, but will he or his cabinet approve such an investigation?
This question was posed by former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde, none less, while commenting on a complaint lodged by Mr Nataraj Sharma, a city-based advocate, against Mr Siddaramaiah.
Justice Hegde told Deccan Chronicle that as per existing rules, approval of the Speaker was a pre-requisite before initiation of any legal action against legislators. Similarly, the Chief Minister's nod was required to act against ministers. But, for action against the Chief Minister himself, the cabinet has to accord permission. “Mr Siddaramaiah is not the cabinet to pass such a dictum without the permission of his council of ministers. Has he discussed this issue in a meeting of the cabinet? If so, where are the proceedings to this effect?”
He said as per executive orders issued by the government to constitute the ACB, officials working in the bureau must take the complaint against the Chief Minister to the cabinet for approval. Hitherto, no such rule existed which had helped the Lokayukta to act against anybody including the elected representatives. Besides, a supervisory committee comprising senior officials has been constituted and it was monitored by the Chief Minister himself. The crucial question: could the panel give permission to carry out investigation against its political boss. “Will the council of ministers give permission to hold an inquiry against their CM,” he queried.
