BENGALURU:Upa Lokayukta Justice S B Majage on Tuesday came out in support of Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao.
“Since the issue is related to corruption within the institution, an outside agency should probe the case. Also when the government has constituted an SIT, why should anyone insist that a particular officer in the Lokayukta probe the case?” Justice Majage questioned. He was referring to Upa Lokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi’s direction to Lokayukta SP Sonia Narang to continue with the probe.
Justice Magaje was with Lokayukta Justice Bhaskar Rao when the latter took the decision to write to the government seeking a probe by any outside agency. “There is no question of going back or saying that the agency appointed by the government is not agreeable to us. I would have had no objection even if the government preferred any other agency, including CBI, considering the demand of the people”, he added.
Justice Majage, who will retire as Upa Lokayukta on July 17, is said to have questioned Justice Adi ‘interfering’ in his jurisdiction.
According to an order issued in August 2011 by then Lokayukta Justice Shivaraj V Patil, complaints from 13 districts, including Bangalore Urban, are to be dealt with by Upa Lokayukta-1 (Justice Majage). Complaints from the 17 other districts are to be dealt with by Upa Lokayukta-2 (Justice Adi).
“I have not entertained any petitions of any nature who do not pertain to my jurisdiction,” Justice Majage said, refusing to discuss the issue in detail.
When contacted, Justice Adi defended his move stating that he acted in exercise of powers conferred on him under Section 7(3) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act.
“People need relief. If anyone comes with a complaint, I cannot send them back without ensuring relief. Members of Janaadhikara Sangharsh Parishath (JSP) filed the complaint on the graft charges. I directed the officer concerned to probe the allegations.”
Justice Adi said the main intention is ascertain the truth. “The JSP filed a complaint before me and they wanted it probed immediately. As Upa Lokayukta, I took a decision within and exercised my powers. With respect to the investigation in a district not being assigned me, it cannot be questioned under Section 7(2) proviso. I have acted in the interest of the public and the institution under provisions of the Lokayukta Act”, he said.
“Unless a case regarding an alleged crime is registered, even the SIT cannot take up investigation. There must be an FIR and investigation must be pending. Then, it can be transferred to SIT”, he added.
Investigation Still On
Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Sonia Narang is going ahead with the investigation in the case as the Upa Lokaykta’s office is yet to receive a copy of the government order on handing over the probe to the SIT. “Investigation is on in full swing and efforts are being made to ensure that it is a fool-proof case,” said a senior officer.
Petition in HC
A petition was filed in the high court seeking a CBI probe into the alleged extortion by the Lokayukta staff.
‘I’ll Quit If Charges Proved’
Speaking to a group of activists who met him at his office on Tuesday morning, Justice Bhaskar Rao said he will resign if any charges made against his son are proved. “Let the SIT take up the probe. If charges are proved, I will put in by papers,” he said. On Upa Lokayukta ordering the SP to continue with the probe, Justice Rao said, “What is the need of the probe when the SIT is formed?”