Lokayukta wants early sanctions for prosecution

Lokay- ukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao on Friday said he has written to the chief secretary on the need for the state government giving early permission for prosecution of government officers accused in corruption cases.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Justice Rao said there has been a delay on part of the government and the competent authority in according permission for prosecution as a result of which the cases drag on for months and years.

“I have already written to the chief secretary asking him to accord permission for prosecution within three months from the receipt of requisition from the Lokayukta. In certain extraordinary cases one more month can be taken for giving permission’’ Justice Rao said. He was not happy with the government for reinstatement of a suspended officer without the knowledge of the Lokayukta.

Apex court ruling

The Lokayukta has brought to the notice of the chief secretary the Supreme Court ruling that the prosecuting authority may go ahead with the prosecution if the competent authority does not give permission for prosecution within the stipulated time.

For want of permission for prosecution, quite a few cases shave been pending, Justice Rao said. The Lokayukta was here to hold sittings to inquire into the complaints against various public authorities and he ordered spot relief in a few cases.

Asked about inordinate delay in taking the cases even the smaller ones such as trapping to their logical end, Justice Rao said the delay on part of the courts was the main reason. The only remedy was to open more number of courts, he added. Justice Rao said he would hold sittings in all the districts. He would be holding sittings in Kolar, Ramanagar, Mandya, Haveri and Davangere before August 8.