Karnataka Lokayukta takes on Yeddurappa

NEW DELHI: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa may have survived yet another crisis, but his troubles are far from over. His government has now locked horns with the Lokayukta, who on Sunday rejected its contention that a judicial probe into land scams was valid as it was ordered earlier.

The ombudsman, retired Supreme Court judge N Santosh Hegde, asserted on Sunday that the judicial probe cannot be held as the Lokayukta is already probing some scams which come under the judicial commission for enquiry. He said the state has not taken his permission, which is required under certain provisions of Lokayukta Act before issuing the notification.

A news agency quoted Justice Hegde as saying that the government notified the judicial probe only on November 23 and added that its “personal discussions” and “expressing view to the media” earlier do not become a government order.
He said that while the government took a decision on November 18 to order a judicial inquiry, JD(S) lodged a complaint with Lokayukta that day itself.

“It’s different steps in the process of investigation. The investigation started on November 18,” Justice Hegde said, adding preliminary enquiry began on November 20 and he approved the enquiry on November 23. “They have not consulted me (before ordering a judicial probe). Therefore, this cannot be done,” he said.

He said the government would have to delete certain “references” (for investigation in the probe) which are already being probed by the Lokayukta. “Follow the rule. Don’t demean the institution... I am protecting my institution’s integrity. I am not trying to drag something which is not mine,” Justice Hegde said.