Government yesterday transferred Gaonkar, who was serving as Additional Director General of Police, Karnataka Lokayukta, and brought Satyanarayana Rao H N, Additional DGP, Crimes & Technical Services, Bangalore, in his place.

Taking exception to the move, Hegde told PTI that the Lokayukta police was conducting investigation against "quite big people, powerful people" and said the conduct of Gaonkar "looked positive" going by newspaper reports and "whatever he submitted to the Special Lokayukta Court".

"That has created a lot of anger in the political administration," the former Supreme Court judge, who is also a key Team Anna member, said.

Without naming Yeddyurappa, who he indicted in his illegal mining report that led to the BJP strongman's exit as Chief Minister, Hegde said: "Some people ultimately got bail and they came out but enquiry against them, their family and former colleagues is continuing".

He pointed to "sudden change (the transfer) without there being a Lokayukta, without his opinion", and also referred to newspaper reports that the Chief Secretary had objected to Rao's name at some point of time earlier.

"All this leads to one and only conclusion: this (the transfer) was done for collateral purpose...to sabotage the investigation", Hegde said. "What's the mortal hurry to change this person?".

"An attempt is being made definitely... objective is to defeat the investigation that's being carried out", he said.