State Bar Council wants Lokayukta to quit over bribe allegation

The Karnataka State Bar Council has demanded the resignation of Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao, in view of serious allegations of corruption at the office of the ombudsman.

“As there is a serious allegation of corruption in the office of the Lokayukta, more particularly against Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao, it is not proper for him to continue in office,” said Council chairperson P P Hegde.

Briefing media persons here on Friday, he said the credibility of the Lokayukta institution needed to be restored. If the demands are not met immediately, advocates throughout the State will join the public and stage protests.

Hegde said, “Krishna Rao, claiming to be the secretary of Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao, is alleged to have called a public servant to the official residence of the Lokayukta on April 21 and demanded Rs one crore. There is an allegation that he had met the latter on April 25 at a star hotel on Race Course Road and again put forth the demand for Rs one crore. Several such allegations have come from the public servants/ the general public alleging corruption and extortion of money from public servants in the office of the Lokayukta,” he added.