BENGALURU: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged extortion racket in the state’s anti-corruption body took the statement of Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao at his residence in Hyderabad on Thursday.
A team of officials led by DIG Soumendu Mukherjee and Chief Investigating Officer Labhu Ram went to Rao’s house after he expressed his inability to come to the office of the SIT, citing health reasons.
The SIT had issued a notice to Rao to appear in person to record his statement two weeks ago.
A top police official in SIT refused to divulge the details of the statement they took. However, the official said they have obtained a detailed statement from Rao on the misuse of the room of the public relations officer, his own official residence and the role of his son Y Ashwin.
“We took a statement with regard to all five cases registered by SIT and Bengaluru city division police of Lokayukta,” the officer said.
When asked whether Rao would be considered a witness or an accused in the case, the officer said, “At present, we cannot say anything on this. This will be considered if any clinching evidence is found after the investigation.”
On the observation of the High Court that mere statements of witnesses will not make it a crime while granting bail to the four accused, including realtor Ashok Kumar, suspended Lokayukta PRO Syed Riyaz, journalist B Srinivasa Gowda, and
RTI activist Shankare Gowda, the SIT official said, “We will not comment on the court’s observations and will try our best to nail the accused.”
The officials also indicated that they would approach the Supreme Court against the bail granted to the four and file a chargesheet in the first FIR registered by Lokayukta SP Sonia Narang.