JOIN USThe Bench also directed the government to file objections to the application filed by Y S V Datta impleading Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa in land deal cases.
The petitioners have been given two weeks to file counter objections.
The matter has been adjourned to May 27.
In his statement of objections, Justice Padmaraj submitted that the Commission would conduct an impartial inquiry and there was no question of protecting the interests of the guilty parties. He submitted that he had been a judge for several decades and it would be unfair to say he would support the ruling party simply because he was appointed by them.
The government had the power to appoint a commission but did not enjoy any power to control it, he said.
Justice Padmaraj said the Commission would seek the help of the CBI in investigations, if necessary. The Commission had been receiving complaints from the general public and it was unable to proceed on them because of the High Court stay, he said.
JD(S) leader and spokesperson Datta had challenged the State government’s decision to hand over the investigations into the land scam to the Justice Padmaraj Commission. The petitioner had contended that the Lokayukta was already conducting investigations and hence there was no need to form a separate commission.