Govt spared 2 officers from Lokayukta prosecution: CM

 
The Lokayukta had sought the Government’s permission to prosecute 14 officers. The Government granted permission only for 12. However, he did not name those two officers, against whom the Government did not allow the Lokayukta to prosecute. He was answering to a question by Congress member N Manjunath in the Legislative Council.

The Lokayukta has to take Government’s consent to prosecute Government servants as per section 197 of the CrPC. The CM did not divulge details why the Government did not allow prosecution against the two.

Yeddyurappa said, the Government suspended two IPS officers, facing Lokayukta inquiry. One IFS and one KAS officer who were suspended pending Lokayukta inquiry, had been reinstated. Yeddyurappa said, the Government would not spare any officer guilty of corruption.

JD(S) leader M C Nanaiah alleged that the CM exonerated two IAS officers, against whom the Lokayukta had found valid evidence of misappropriation. He wanted to know from the CM on what grounds the CM exonerated them and said such act would send wrong message to the State.

Nanaiah said, he would disclose the names of those officials in the House at a proper time. However, the CM refused to comment saying he would reply in detail if the chairman allots separate time for the issue.

In a written reply to an unstarred question by H C Neeravari, the CM said, the Lokayukta had raided properties of three officers each in IAS and IPS cadre, besides an IFS officer. No officer had been proved guilty as the inquiry had not yet been completed so far.