BANGALORE: Former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hedge on Monday said, with the budget and the Udupi elections getting over, it is time for the state government to appoint the Lokayukta without further delay.
“The government has been giving reasons that they are not getting the right candidate for the post. If they really have the will to appoint, there are so many good people who can take over the task,” he added.
Speaking at the forum discussing the Lokayukta and governance, he said that though corruption cannot be completely eradicated, it can be reduced with good governance.
“I accept that as Lokayukta I did not succeed in reducing corruption.”
Commenting on the Karnataka High Court quashing the First Information Report filed by the Lokayukta police on illegal mining, he added that allegation against me was that him was that he violated the principles of natural justice because he did not issue a notice to the former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and allow him to depose during the investigations into illegal mining. Speaking on the current investigation of CEC he said, “Even if they don’t act upon the Lokayukta petition, if it is filed in SC, I believe there should be some justice done with the CEC investigation which is in progress.”
He added that they could take the help of CBI and complete the probe.