Abhishek untraced; BBMP fumes at Lokayukta

The BBMP has failed to trace his body five days after it was washed away in a storm water drain. But the Palike on Saturday found time to promptly slap a defamation suit against Lokayukta chairman Justice Santosh Hegde.

BBMP Commissioner Dr S Subramanya’s defamation case against Justice Hegde came in the wake of the Lokayukta chairman’s remarks that the Palike’s chief bureaucrat did not show any courtesy towards Abhishek’s grieving parents, dubbing it an inhuman act. The defamation suit was filed under Section 499 of the IPC before the Fifth Additional Chief Metrolpolitan Magistrate’s court.

The Lokayukta had also reportedly said that BBMP officials had acted in arrogance of power and that those who behave in an inhuman manner have no right to continue in any post. In his defamation suit, the Palike Commissioner maintained that he had visited the place at around 9.30 pm, when tragedy struck.

He claimed he had also visited the victim’s house without revealing his identity, fearing public anger. Besides, he said, he had taken action against the errant officials and also visited the control room. The Commissioner said there was malicious intent behind Justice Hegde’s statement as he had a difference of opinion with him over the sanction plan of the UB City.

In his complaint, Subramanya also made a private Kannada TV channel, which had broadcast an interview of the Lokayukta chairman, a party to the suit. The matter came up for hearing before the 5th ACMM Judge M R Bannihatti, who adjourned it to June 9.
Responding to the suit, Hegde said, “The Commissioner has the freedom to file a case and I have the freedom to defend myself and I will do so in the court.”

Meanwhile, after receiving an official letter from the State government seeking help to search Abhishek’s body, the Army’s Madras Engineering Group inspected the open drain near Lingarajpuram where the incident took place.

They collected first-hand information from the public. The analysis report will be submitted to the higher Army officials  for further instructions. The Army is likely to start their work on Monday, BBMP sources said.
DH News Service