Lokayukta orders probe against Assembly secretary

The Lokayukta has ordered a police investigation against Legislative Assembly Secretary S Murthy for not filing information with the Assembly Secretariat about floating a company in his wife’s name. The investigation will also find out if Murthy received any salary in the company.

The complaint was filed by one Jayakumar Hiremath in 2017, alleging that S Murthy had floated a company – Magnacarta - in his wife’s name during the period of his suspension between 2005 and 2012. The complaint had stated that Murthy had not furnished the details about the company prior to February 2017.

The Lokayukta had directed Murthy to file his comments on the allegations. After a detailed hearing, Lokayukta Justice P Vishwanath Shetty had directed the public prosecutor to file a scrutiny note to know if an investigation has to be initiated.

Murthy was working as section officer when he was placed under suspension in 2005 for misconduct and dereliction of duty. After the departmental enquiry, Murthy was compulsorily ordered to be retired from service. Murthy was reinstated as the Karnataka High Court quashed the order. He had submitted an affidavit to the government that he had not worked in any institution between 2008 and 2012 and had not claimed any allowance. The complainant alleged that Murthy not only floated the company in his wife’s name but also used to manage the firm.

The scrutiny note stated that the Magnacarta company was started with Murthy’s mobile number. The phone number was used for the businesses of the company. The company was also supplying food grains and other materials to SC/ST hostels run by the Social Welfare
Department. The scrutiny note recommended a detailed investigation to collect materials pertaining to allegations.

Lokayukta has approved the recommendation that an investigation can be initiated to ascertain if Murthy, apart from filing a false affidavit, earned any salary during the period between suspension and reinstatement.