On day one, the Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Bhaskar Rao has set in motion the process to reduce the pendency of cases with the institution.
Soon after taking over as the head of the anti-corruption institution, Justice Rao held series of meetings with his officials and sought their suggestions to reduce the pendency of cases.
Lokayukta Registrar B Yoginath told Express that the new Lokayukta discussed the possibility of referring some pending cases to magistrate court, deputy commissioners and other officers for disciplinary action. “His aim is certainly to reduce the pending cases and he has sought suggestions on ways and means to reduce the number of pending cases,” he added.
Justice Rao’s bigger challenge is of restoring the credibility of the institution that is mired in controversies. Justice Rao himself faces corruption charges, while appointment of IGP in the institution has also led to controversies. As per the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, when an Additional DGP rank officer is heading the police wing of the Lokayukta, another IGP rank officer cannot be posted there. This apart, a few Lokayukta officials are also facing corruption charges. The government had recently promoted Arun Chakravarthy (earlier DIG Lokayukta to the post of IGP, while H N Sathyanaraya Rao, an ADGP — rank officer is heading the police wing.