BJP demands CBI probe in Lokayukta Bhaskar Rao case; will move for dismissal if he won't quit in 3 days

BENGALURU: While chief minister Siddaramaiah continued to state that the government was not in a position to `remove' Lokayukta Justice Bhaskar Rao as there are no direct allegations against him, the BJP met governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala and requested him to `advise' Justice Rao to quit on his own.
The BJP and JD(S) have also said if Justice Rao does not resign within three days, they will act through legislative means against him.

An FIR has been filed by the Lokayukta police against Justice Rao's son Ashwin for alleged "extortion". The BJP contends in the memorandium that this “points the needle of suspicion“ at Justice Rao himself and that his continuance in the post is `untenable'. They also want a CBI inquiry into the allegations. Siddaramaiah, who has already ordered an inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), maintained that the state has no authority to hand it over to the CBI as the Lokayukta is an autonomous institution.

Former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde disputed this stand and told ET: "The letter sent by the Lokayukta to the government asking for an inquiry by any independent agency gives the CM the power to give it to anyone. If he can give it o the SIT, why can't he give it to the CBI?“ The BJP moved a motion in the Legisla ive Council on Thursday during the ongoing session at Belagavi, asking for the emoval of Justice Rao.

However, they have stopped short of calling it an impeachment motion under section 6 of the Lokayukta Act. The JD S) has also supported the move, while a similar motion is expected in the Legislative Assembly on Friday.

Justice Hegde said it was “almost impossible“ to remove a Lokayukta as a joint session of the legislature had to pass an impeachment motion with two thirds majority and then send it to the governor for approval.

However, he said the simpler option was for the state government to file for criminal prosecution against Justice Rao.

“This can be done by anybody. Even faced a criminal prosecution when I was Lokayukta. Whoever files for prosecution just has to take permission from the governor. That is all,“ he said.