Lokayukta court adjourns complaint against former AG to Feb 25

The Lokayukta Court today adjourned to February 25 hearing of a private complaint against former state Advocate General B V Acharya and four others for their alleged involvement in misappropriation of funds of a well known education trust, of which they are trustees.

Lokayukta court judge N K Sudhindra Rao adjourned it when counsel for complainant, Lakshmikant Rao sought a week's time to submit certain documents in connection with the complaint.

Earlier, he also filed an application seeking exemption from personal appearance of his client, nonagenarian N Venkateshaiah, as he was hospitalised.

The judge observed "I had seen  some young persons briefing the complainant during the last hearing. When he had the support of youth, why did he choose to file the complaint himself at the age of 94?".

The judge also asked "Is he a freedom fighter? Has he taken up cudgels against corruption earlier?. Was he a trustee of the BMS Education Trust?".

Counsel replied he was a former trustee, a social worker and past President of Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI).

The court also sought to know if Venkateshaiah was "politically motivated or did he have a hidden agenda.If there is a hidden agenda, it will be dealt with very seriously.Which is the office that Acharya misused, was it of Advocate General or that of the trustee? Was the trust aided by government?"

To this counsel submitted the trust was given Rs 88 crore as grant by government.To other queries, he said he was yet to ascertain facts and sought time to submit certain documents.Venkateshaiah in his Jan 24 complaint charged Acharya and the trustees of "misappropriating funds" of B M Sreenivasaiah Memorial Educational Trust. He sought investigation into the transactions and action under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code.

He also questioned Acharya holding two profitable posts, one as Advocate General and second as the trustee. It may be recalled that Acharya resigned from the post of Advocate General on February 8.