What precipitated his resignation?

While that is a million dollar query, one key factor that forced Hegde’s hand could be the State government’s move to suspend the deputy conservator of forests of Karwar, R Gokul, who is investigating illegal transportation of ore in Karwar port.

Minister for Ports Inland Water Transport, Ecology and Environment Department, Krishna Palemar recently wrote a letter to the Chief Secretary directing him to take steps to suspend R Gokul as he did not attend a meeting convened by the minister.

The Minister considered Gokul’s absence as a ‘crime more major than corruption’ and sought his suspension. The government decided to suspend Gokul based on Palemar’s letter.  Hegde learnt about the letter and decided to quit a couple of days ago, it is learnt.

Scandal

Chief Conservator of Forests U V Singh had unearthed a scandal involving transportation of ore using fake licences by raiding Belekeri port in March this year. Gokul took up the case and started investigations. The Lokayukta and Gokul’s team recovered during separate raids eight lakh metric tonnes of ore stored illegally. Bent on repossessing the ore for export, some mining companies approached the High Court. They lost the legal battle, as Gokul presented a spirited case. Meanwhile, five lakh metric tonne ore was found missing. The port officials filed criminal charges against 11 mining companies. The officials managed to get records pertaining to illegal transportation of ore worth Rs 2,500 crore.

“Those people presumed that monsoon would set in the West Coast soon this year. They thought the ore would be mixed in rain drops and would come out. They wanted to use the same and export. However, the monsoon was delayed. Hence, they transported the ore violating all norms,” Hegde alleged.

Hegde said, “I had high hopes before taking up the post of Lokayuta but realised that it is not possible to fulfil those dreams. If I had known earlier, I would not have given up the lucrative post of Chairman Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal.”

When asked whether his resignation was a gift to the Yeddyurappa government for completing two years. Hegde sarcastically said: "I am not in the habit of giving ‘gifts’ and that too to politicians."

Time sought

He said he had some unfinished work, reports which are ready and need final touches before submission to the government. While quoting an example, Hegde said Sanjana's parents had full faith in Lokayukta.

“We have almost completed our investigation and it will be submitted in a week's time. I am sure once the report is submitted and the guilty are booked and punished, Sanjana's soul will rest in peace.”

More so, without an incumbent, Lokayukta has no entity at all. So, he had sought time till August 31.

“For the last two years, our senior officers, especially police officers have been put to hardship. They have been facing threats. On occasions, they have been charged with SC/ST atrocity cases. Despite, repeatedly bringing it to the notice of the government, they have been deliberately ignored and has been indifferent towards functioning of the institution.”

Meeting with CM

On meeting the chief minister, he said, “I have had only one meeting with the chief minister and in the presence of chief secretary.” He put forth three demands. One was seeking more powers to the Lokayukta.

“I advised not to reinstate suspended officials and not to continue them in the same office and explained that the officials might tamper with the evidence.”

The second demand was revocation of the reinstatement of a Bescom engineer who was suspended. The minister concerned pledged ignorance, and ordered the withdrawal of reinstatement. The third demand was additional grants for police officers in Lokayukta. The demand was conceded.