Click to Expand & PlayBangalore: The anti-corruption ombudsman is fighting for survival in the state of Karnataka, which ironically has topped the list of corrupt states in India. The Karnataka government may be planning to scrap the Lokayukta in the state.
The Lokayukta office in Karnataka has been vacant for over two months and now the BJP chief of the state KS Eeshwarappa suggests the Lokayukta itself is corrupt and biased.
"The shocking revelations about the Lokayukta on almost daily basis call into question the very relevance of the institution. Legal experts should deliberate on the need for the Lokayukta in Karnataka," says Mr Eeshwarappa.
Days after Yeddyurappa, former Chief Minister of Karnataka, walked out of jail on bail last week, a top cop of the Lokayukta police was transferred out of the post. The state government transferred Mr Gaonkar, who was serving as Additional Director General of Police, Karnataka Lokayukta, and brought in Satyanarayana Rao HN, Additional DGP, Crimes & Technical Services, Bangalore, in his place. Mr Rao is said to be close to Mr Yeddyurappa.
Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda has no explanation for the delay in appointing a new Lokayukta for over two months.
"We have sent the Lokayukta file to the Governor. I cannot comment on this till the file comes back to me," said Mr Gowda.
Former Lokayukta, Justice Santosh Hegde's report in July on illegal mining in the state brought down Chief Minister Yeddyurappa from his post and several ministers in his cabinet.
Hegde says that the government instead of acting upon the indicted ministers, is acting against the institution that exposed them.
"Ever since I left office, there has been an attempt soon after my departure from the Lokayukta institution to weaken the Lokayukta institution," he said.
Justice Shivraj Patil, who took over from Justice Hegde, quit office abruptly in September after allegations of involvement in a land scam.
The Lokayukta office in Karnataka has been vacant for over two months and now the BJP chief of the state KS Eeshwarappa suggests the Lokayukta itself is corrupt and biased.
"The shocking revelations about the Lokayukta on almost daily basis call into question the very relevance of the institution. Legal experts should deliberate on the need for the Lokayukta in Karnataka," says Mr Eeshwarappa.
Days after Yeddyurappa, former Chief Minister of Karnataka, walked out of jail on bail last week, a top cop of the Lokayukta police was transferred out of the post. The state government transferred Mr Gaonkar, who was serving as Additional Director General of Police, Karnataka Lokayukta, and brought in Satyanarayana Rao HN, Additional DGP, Crimes & Technical Services, Bangalore, in his place. Mr Rao is said to be close to Mr Yeddyurappa.
Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda has no explanation for the delay in appointing a new Lokayukta for over two months.
"We have sent the Lokayukta file to the Governor. I cannot comment on this till the file comes back to me," said Mr Gowda.
Former Lokayukta, Justice Santosh Hegde's report in July on illegal mining in the state brought down Chief Minister Yeddyurappa from his post and several ministers in his cabinet.
Hegde says that the government instead of acting upon the indicted ministers, is acting against the institution that exposed them.
"Ever since I left office, there has been an attempt soon after my departure from the Lokayukta institution to weaken the Lokayukta institution," he said.
Justice Shivraj Patil, who took over from Justice Hegde, quit office abruptly in September after allegations of involvement in a land scam.
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