On a day when the Winter Session of the Karnataka Assembly did not witness any business due to death of Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli, a BJP MlA from Bidar, both the Opposition parties BJP and JD(S) on Tuesday petitioned the Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa initiating the process for controversial lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao’s exit over an alleged extortion racket in the anti-graft ombudsman’s office involving his son.
The petition was signed by 46 members of BJP and 37 members of JD(S).
Speaking to reporters after receiving the petition, Thimmappa said, “As per the amended Act, at least 72 members have to sign, so there is adequate numbers now. I will call for a meeting of all parties and discuss how to go forward and will then take the action. We will come to a decision in two or three days.”
Terming it a “legally complicated matter”, Thimmappa said, “I want to have a unanimous opinion on this.”
Speaker said after verifying the petition, he and Chairman of the legislative Council will have to write to the High Court Chief Justice to constitute an inquiry committee.
“.....the three members, consisting two members appointed by Chief Justice and one member appointed by us will inquire and come out with a finding which will be placed before the legislature and final decision will be taken,” he said.
“...as this matter will go before the committee that will have retired High Court Judge, we will have to look at things responsibly and move forward in this matter,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the Speaker, leader of Opposition in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar said, “We expect this process for the removal of lokayukta is completed soon.”
“lokayukta institution which is to protect people is on the verge of loosing its significance today, because of Bhaskar Rao; his removal is of prime importance to protect this institution....” he added.
Expressing a similar opinion, JD(S) leader Y S V Datta said that at the Business Advisory Committee meeting yesterday all the parties including the ruling party leaders have expressed feeling that lokayukta Bhaskar Rao has to go.
“....by initiating this process we will be able to send a clear message to people that legislature is in no way trying to protect lokayukta,” he added.
Under attack from the Opposition for allegedly soft-pedaling serious charges of corruption in the office of the lokayukta, the congress government under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had in July tabled the Karnataka lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2015 pertaining to removal of anti-corruption ombudsman, which was passed. The passage of the bill has made the process of removal of the lokayukta simpler.
Rao, who has been sticking to his guns despite calls for his resignation, is on a long leave since July after his son Ashwin Rao was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the case. Karnataka lokayukta Joint Commissioner (PRO) Syed Riaz and a few others were also arrested in connection with the scandal.