BJP Govt seeks advice from Lokayukta on land scam probe

A letter by Chief Secretary S V Ranganath to Hegde said there were certain lapses on the part of the government in unilaterally ordering the judicial probe into land scams in Bangalore Development Authority and Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board.

The government requested Hegde to suggest a solution and also indicate the type of probe he favoured into the matter, after the Lokayukta stuck to his guns that he would not allow the government to encroach upon his powers.

Hegde was upset after the government announced the probe by a retired high court judge without consulting him on an issue already pending before him. The government had defended its decision saying it was done under the provisions of the central act which overrides the Lokayukta Act.

The judicial probe was ordered after Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa came under constant attack from opposition which gunned for his ouster alleging his involvement in corruption, nepotism and favouritism in allotment and denotification of lands.

A retired army official filed a PIL before the state high court seeking a direction to the government on the enquiry that should be held into land scams.

Speaking to reporters, Hegde said that after taking note of his objections to the probe being transferred to a judicial commission, the chief secretary had requested him to point out the lacunae and how it could be rectified.

He said he would respond to the chief secretary after the high court gave its judgement on two petitions relating to land scams pending before it.

The Lokayukta, who has been at loggerheads with the BJP government on the issue of corruption, has recently issued a notice to the chief minister on a complaint against him on denotification of lands.