New Lokayukta SPP delaying proceedings in corruption cases
Appointed last Dec, prosecutor has failed to acquaint himself with cases
The ''dismantling'' of the Lokayukta institution can be seen not just in the tussle over the appointment of the Lokayukta, but in seemingly smaller moves like the appointment of public prosecutors of the Lokayukta police.
The Bangalore police wing of the Lokayukta in the last month and a half has been grappling with a confounding problem.
The Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) appointed for Bangalore Urban to handle all the cases of the Lokayukta police in the Special Lokayukta Court has been unable to execute his responsibilities. The SPP, L Umakanthan, who took over the cases from mid-December, has proved to be so inadequate at handling his cases that it is not just the Lokayukta police who are at their wits’ end, but the presiding judge N K Sudhindra Rao as well.
Cases have usually been adjourned since Umakanthan took over as he claimed ignorance of the stage of proceedings.
Making matters worse, objections have not been filed in several cases and the new SPP has demonstrated total disinterest in even knowing the names of the witnesses in an important case like the one against MLA Y Sampangi.
The situation was similar in the case against former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa filed by JD (S) leader Y S V Datta regarding irregularities in the awarding of work contract in the Upper Bhadra Project. Despite prodding by the Court, the SPP was unable to answer any questions related to the report, which runs into 21,000 pages. Situations like these have led to a frustrated Judge remarking repeatedly that it was the duty of the SPP to assist the court. Often the investigating officer is being called to answer questions pertaining to the cases.
The Bangalore Urban wing of the Lokayukta police handles about 40 per cent of the total cases in the State. This amounts to more than 350 cases that have to be dealt with by the Special Court. Compared to the case load of other districts, the burden of the cases in the City is simply overwhelming and requires a lot of work. The choice for the post was made by the Registrar and the Upa Lokayukta, who ironically did not honour the recommendations of the Lokayukta police, who wanted the tenure of the previous SPP I S Pramod Chandra extended.
The Lokayukta police are a disgruntled lot. A source in the Lokayukta police said they had already complained about the problems being faced with the new SPP, but nothing had come out of it. Since it is the Additional Director General of Police, who is in charge of all cases under to the Prevention of Corruption Act, it is not right for the Registrar to choose a name, without considering the name recommended by the Lokayukta police or without suggesting a panel of advocates for the job, the source commented.
Lokayukta Registrar B Yoginath had told this paper before the appointment that the criteria for choosing a new SPP would be strictly based on the ability to handle the cases.
When asked whether the performance of the SPP conformed to the criteria set by them, the Registrar promised to look into the matter and apprise the Upa Lokayukta S B Majage of the situation.
