Justice Hegde for probe into watch row

Former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde said on Thursday that the watch controversy involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah needed a thorough investigation.

He told reporters here that the issue was a closed chapter politically. But it needed to be seen whether any law had been violated, failing which a question mark would remain on the whole episode.

There is a government order that those in public life should not receive costly gifts. If one did get them, he or she should deposit it with the government, besides providing all relevant information. Customs duty should be paid, as per law, for the purchase of the watch. It needs to be ascertained whether the same has been done, Justice Hegde said.

To a query regarding some people who take cover under their community, whenever charges are levelled against them, the former ombudsman said it was common in all cases, including rape.

“Just because a person belongs to one or the other community, does it make receiving a costly watch right?” Hegde said.