AAP demands reply from Lokayukta on corruption charges

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday demanded a detailed reply from Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao on SP Lokayukta Sonia Narang’s allegations of corruption within the Lokayukta office.

AAP leader Ravikrishna Reddy said there are rumours that Justice Rao’s relative is involved in the extortion of money from government officials.

He said, “The present Lokayukta is a rubber stamp. This Lokayukta is not writing to the State government about maladministration. The government is throwing the Lokayukta’s recommendations into the bin. The morale of officials in the Lokayukta institution is being affected. The Lokayukta has been ineffective and there are rumours that one of his relatives is behind this extortion racket,” he said. Considering that the Lokayukta is an autonomous institution that is in a controversy, the authorities concerned should take immediate action, he added.

AAP leaders said the Lokayukta must come out with CCTV footage on the second floor of its building between May 5 and 7. “Lokayukta must address the people of the State explaining who Krishna Rao is, the person who reportedly threatened an Executive Engineer and demanded Rs 1 crore from him. Is Krishna Rao a real name or is there another person who has been calling public servants under this name. The people of Karnataka deserve an answer from the Lokayukta,” Reddy said.

Meanwhile, Ambedkar Yuva Sene, an organisation, has filed a memorandum to the Governor requesting action with regard to charges of corruption within the Lokayukta office. Representatives of the organisation said a letter was submitted to the Raj Bhavan on Monday morning.