HC notice to Lokayukta on complaint against Gowda's son

The complainant had alleged that Balakrishne Gowda had amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Gowda had moved the High Court seeking quashing of the complaint and the first information report filed against him in the Lokayukta special court.

Stating that the complaint was politically motivated, Gowda pointed out that complainant  S N Balakrishna was an  officer in former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa’s office.

The petitioners moved the High Court after the Lokayukta court took cognizance of the matter and directed that an FIR be filed in connection with the complaint. The complainant had stated that Gowda, who as a KAS officer, took voluntary retirement from service in 2005 and had declared Rs 10 crore assets. However, he had recently declared that he owned assets worth Rs 75 crore, the complainant claimed had a market value of Rs 300 crore.

The complainant, a former engineer from Bhadravathi, had stated that Gowda had purchased properties in the name of his wife, father-in-law and other relatives.

The Lokayukta had raided the houses of Gowda and his relatives in October and had claimed to have found valuable documents pertaining to wealth amassed illegally.

An FIR was lodged against him under 156 (3) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act and the inquiry is on. Justice Pinto, who heard the matter, has ordered notice to Lokayukta and the complainant.