Witness Says Justice Rao Asked Him to Resign
BENGALURU: Soon after his son Ashwin’s arrest by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao allegedly asked his government-appointed cook, a witness in the case, to go on leave for 15 days and later made him resign. According to the chargesheet filed in the Lokayukta Special Court.
A copy of which is with Express, Justice Rao asked his cook Krishnamurthy (53) to go on leave after a criminal case was booked against his son Y Ashwin and three others. Krishnamurthy was among the 29 witnesses who gave statements against Lokayukta PRO Syed Riyaz. Krishnamurthy said Ashwin once told him that another accused, Bhaskar, would deliver an envelope containing US dollars, and he should leave it in Ashwin’s room.
According to the statement, Justice Rao asked him to go on leave and then switched his mobile off. “Then I went to my native Obalapuram. After a few days, I called Lokayukta’s gunman Krishna Murthy and asked him if I must return to duty or not... Krishna Murthy said that Lokayukta had asked me to resign,” Krishnamurthy told SIT.
As a part of conspiracy by accused V Bhaskar, S Krishna alias Hotte Krishna, Mohammd Sadique, Rajashekar and suspended Lokayukta’s PRO Syed Riyaz, Justice Rao participated in inauguration of a temple at Rajashekar’s native place. The SIT recovered photos, invitations and the bandobust plan by the local police.
Other documents procured by SIT are the complaint registered about the illegal sale of SIM card used for the conspiracy.
In his complaint, Krishna Murthy said, “Riyaz called him and introduced himself as the Joint Commissioner Krishna Rao. He said there were complaints about the work he executed using... local area development funds... You have to pay Rs 1 crore if you want to escape.”
Chikkaiah, the driver working in the Lokayukta’s official house, said he had picked Ashwin from the airport and taken him, Bhaskar and Riyaz to Commercial Street and star hotels.
The police constables, guards and cooks at the residence confirmed that Ashwin, Riyaz and Bhaskar met in Justice Rao’s residence.
Probe Deepens
Other Findings from the SIT Investigation into the lokayukta extortion scam
How Ashok Kumar Got SIM
One of the accused Ashok Kumar, a realtor, got the Aircel mobile SIM from one Hemanth Kumar, a resident of Cubbonpet. Ashok promised to give him 3 per cent of the `10 lakh to be paid by the irrigation officials. “The officials are not clearing my dues. So that I have to threaten them using a SIM card,” Ashok told Hemanth.
Shankaregowda alias Inspector Krishnappa
Shankaregowda introduced himself as Lokayukta Inspector Krishnappa to M B Nagaraju, Assistant Project Officer, Bengaluru Rural Zilla Panchayat. He allegedly threatened to raid his house.
Tickets Booked
A travel agent from Raceview Travel confirmed that flight tickets were booked to Hyderabad from Bengaluru on April 5, 2015, and return ticket for April 6, 2015. Those who travelled were Channabasappa, Shivayogi Hiremath, Ashok Kumar and V Bhaskar.
Riyaz and Ashok
Thipperudrappa, Executive Engineer, Tumakuru City Corporation, was also called on May 7, 2015 from a mobile. He was told that they have received a complaint against him. He found out that those calling were Riyaz and Ashok Kumar.