The State government cannot take any action against the Lokayukta even if the Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted to probe allegations of corruption in the ombudsman’s office, indicts the Lokayukta as he is protected under the Lokayukta Act, said MLA and KPCC General Secretary Basavaraj Rayareddy.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, the Yelburga MLA said, “Unless the State Assembly amends the Section 6 of Lokayukta Act which deals with impeachment of Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta, neither State government nor Governor can remove the Lokayukta.”
Rayareddy said that, on Monday, he would seek permission of the Assembly speaker to move a motion to amend the Lokayukta Act on the lines of Article 317 of Indian Constitution (Public Service Commission), which allows the Governor or President to suspend PSC officers facing alligations of corruption. This amendment would at least give the Governor the power to suspend Lokayukta Bhaskar Rao till the findings of the SIT is out, he explained.
He charged Justice Rao with influencing the police department, asking it not to take any action against his son Ashwin Rao.
“Lokayukta Justice Bhaskar Rao’s action is a blot on the institution, which had earned immense respect over the years. But the State government is helpless to take any action in this regard,” he said.
“The BJP, which is unnecessarily targeting the government on the issue, should clarify why the Jagadish Shettar-led government appointed Justice Bhaskar Rao as Lokayukta? The BJP government went ahead despite stiff opposition by the then Leader of Opposition in Assembly Siddaramaiah, Rayareddi added.
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