BELGAUM: Former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde said that former chief minister S M Krishna was ‘more smart and clever’ when compared to other former CMs Dharm Singh and Yeddyurappa and Kumaraswamy, as he got his followers to deal with the illegal mining deals during his tenure.
Addressing the Media here on Thursday, Justice Hegde said: “It was not possible to name Krishna in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining. Not only did he make his followers handle all forest and mining deals, but he also saw to it that he did not hold the mining and forest portfolios.”
Hegde added: “Krishna also saw to it that not a single signature of his was on any paper/ document relating to mining. He also managed to take collective decisions on mining.” On the fate of his report submitted to the government, Justice Hegde remarked that he spent four years to prepare it but added that the government isn’t ready to accept it.
“I think the report would go to the nearest dustbin,” he lamented.
Justice Hegde said that the delay in appointing a new Lokayukta will affect the probes of its officials.