How many official vehicles can a government servant have at his disposal? According to the rule, one. But the controversial Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Lokayukta, Arun Chakravarthi, has three.
Now, the Karnataka Lokayukta has issued a memo to Chakravarthi, asking him to return two of the three official vehicles. “Most officials in the Lokayukta struggle to find even one official vehicle in working condition. However, this senior IPS officer has three cars at his disposal,” said a Lokayukta official from the police wing.
According to sources, Chakravarthi, has one Tata Indigo (KA-04-G-4494), a Toyota Qualis (KA-04-G-3193) and a Toyota Innova (KA- 04-G-630) attached to him with a driver.
While the first two vehicles were taken by him from the Lokayukta, the Innova was allotted to Chakravarthi from the police modernisation funds. Considering the lack of official vehicles in the Lokayukta, the quasi-judicial body has issued a memo to the DIG to return at least one car back to the department. As the DIG is on leave, despite the memo, there has been no response from him, said the official.
When Deccan Herald contacted him, Chakravarthi admitted that he has three vehicles at his service. “Officially, I am yet to take receipt of the Innova car. I have also not returned the old cars. Only when I have possession of the Innova, can I return my old car,” said Chakravarthi.
When asked whether he was aware of the memo issued to him by the department, Chakravarthi dismissed it by stating that it was just a procedural matter. “It is usually issued on account of having another vehicle at any officer’s disposal. I will return the old car to the department once I am back from my leave on January 15,” he said.
Even if Chakravarthy returns one vehicle, he will still have two cars with him. However, he justified it by saying that he was not the first one to enjoy the privilege. “Right from the Additional Superintendent of Police to the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), all are given the same facility of having one official and one domestic car,” he said.