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Karnataka Lokayukta resigns over alleged bribery scandal

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Bhaskar-Rao

Bengaluru: Facing the prospect of his removal, controversial Karnataka Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao has resigned over an alleged extortion racket in the anti-graft ombudsman’s office involving his son.

Rao, who had resisted growing calls for stepping down following the allegation, had tendered his resignation on Monday and it was accepted by Governor Vajubhai R Vala today, ending months of uncertainty hanging over the institution.

“Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka is pleased to accept the resignation of Dr. Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao, as Lokayukta of Karnataka State with immediate effect,” a Raj Bhavan communique said today.

Rao is on a long leave since July last after his son Ashwin Rao was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the case.

A motion moved by BJP and JDS and also supported by the ruling Congress seeking the removal of Rao is pending before the Karnataka Assembly with the Speaker Kagodu Thimappa considering it before referring the issue to the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice to take the process forward.

According to the Lokayukta Act, recently amended to simplify rules for removal of the anti-graft ombudsman, on admission of the motion, the presiding officers shall refer the matter to the High Court Chief Justice for investigation into the grounds over which the removal is sought.

If the charges against the Lokayukta are proved by the inquiry, it is then taken up for consideration and adoption of the motion and sent to the Governor for assent.

The investigation for proof of misbehaviour or incapacity of Lokayukta has to be done as provided in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, by a three-member committee, comprising two judges and a jurist.

The scandal surfaced after Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Sonia Narang wrote a letter to the Registrar of Karnataka Lokayukta about the complaint she received from a person who alleged that someone from the Lokayukta office demanded Rs 1 crore in bribe to avoid a raid.

The SIT has arrested 11 persons, including Ashwin Rao, and registered five cases in connection with the alleged racket.

In another development, a motion seeking removal of Upa Lokayukta Subhash Adi, moved by the Congress but not supported by BJP and JDS, is also before the Assembly.

In their petition against Adi, the ruling party members have accused him of “misuse of office, misconduct and inefficiency”. The Opposition maintains there are no specific charges against Adi and the move against him is an attempt to shut down the Lokayukta institution itself.

Former Upa Lokayukta SB Majage had earlier alleged that Adi had closed a case of misconduct against a medical officer from Hubballi, which was a being handled by him. Following that, some Congress leaders had demanded Adi’s resignation.

The Congress leaders had also alleged that the medical officer was a relative of Opposition BJP leader in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar, during whose Chief Ministership Adi was appointed as the Upa Lokayukta.

Procedure for removal of the Upa Lokayukta is similar to that for a Lokayukta.
The Assembly Speaker has, however, said that he is not convinced with the evidence produced that alleged Adi had shown favouritism and exceeded his jurisdiction.

(Agencies)

BJP and JD(S) seek Lokayukta’s removal

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Bhaskar-Rao

Bengaluru: Taking the first step for the removal of Justice Y Bhaskar Rao from the post of the Karnataka Lokayukta, the Opposition BJP and JD(S) have submitted separate petitions to State Legislative Speaker KagoduThimmappa for initiating the process of conducting an inquiry into alleged charges of corruption in the office of Lokayukta on Tuesday.

The two opposition parties have also submitted similar petitions to State Legislative Council Chairman DH Shankaramurthy.
A total 46 BJP members and 37 JD(S) members in the Assembly have signed the petition.

After receiving the petition, the Speaker said he would write to the Chief Justice of Karnataka and request for constituting a committee of retired judges to probe into alleged charges of corruption in the office of the Lokayukta.

Lokayukta Justice Bhaskar Rao’s son Ashwin is at the centre of a controversy for allegedly being a key player in the racket in collusion with some officials of the body.

For the removal of the Lokayuka, one third of the total members of either House or both Houses of the Legislature must sign a notice of a motion for the removal on the ground of proved mis-behaviour or incapacity.

The Speaker said he would refer the petition to the Chief Justice of the High Court for investigation in two or three days.

The State amended the Karnataka Lokayukta Act during last session of the state legislature in July last and simplified the removal procedure of the anti-graft ombudsman.

Once the Speaker or the Chairman (or both) refer the petition to the Chief Justice, the Lokayukta would be precluded from discharging duties during the pendency of the motion.

Justice Bhaskar Rao has been continuously on leave since July and the institution of the Lokayukta has become virtually non-functional.

The State Government can appoint an Advocate to conduct the case.

Terming the entire issue as a “legally complicated matter,” Thimmappa said: “I want to have an unanimous opinion on this.”

“The three members, consisting two members appointed by Chief Justice and one member appointed by us will inquire and come out with a finding which will be placed before the Legislature and a final decision will be taken,” the Speaker explained.

(Agencies)

Lokayukta registers FIR against IAS officer for disproportionate assets

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kapil-mohan

Bengaluru: An FIR has been registered by Lokayukta police against senior IAS officer Kapil Mohan and his wife Ruchi Saxena in connection with a disproportionate assets case.

Following a report submitted by the CID sleuths to CM Siddaramaiah, state government on Monday had ordered probe into the seizure of cash, jewellery and property documents from a posh apartment in Yeshwantpur. The apartment belongs to a company registered in the name of Naresh Mohan, father of Kapil.

The FIR has been registered under Sections 13 (1) (e) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Kapil is the principal secretary to the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs.

A team of Lokayukta police, headed by SP (Bengaluru Rural) Abdul Ahad, searched five premises belonging to Kapil in the city. The teams raided Kapil’s house at Sector-II in HSR Layout, his office on Nrupatunga Road and three apartments, including one near UB City.

CID and IT officials had unearthed a large trove of money, gold and diamond ornaments during a raid at flat no MB-602, Mepal Block, 6th Floor, Golden Grand Apartment, in Yeshwatpur on August 5 in connection with a cricket betting racket.

According to sources the sealed 2.45 kg gold, 34.7 carat diamond and Rs 4,37,50,000 cash (40,900 notes of Rs 1,000 and 5,700 of Rs 500 denominations) was handed over to the Income Tax Department.

The apartment belongs to PSK Finance Solutions Pvt Ltd, Kapil, Naresh and Ruchi, according to 16 documents found in the flat. The officials have also unearthed bills and certificates showing investment in various companies. A laptop bag with 42 CDs, hard disk and data cable had been recovered.

Few cricket bookies who were arrested by the Hubballi police in connection with a cricket betting racket had revealed during interrogation that the cricket betting was run from the flat at Golden Grand Apartment in Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru. They also disclosed about huge amount of money stashed in the flat. Following this, team of Lokayukta police raided the flat belonging to IAS officer.

(Agencies)

Anti-corruption organization caught in corruption; Lokayukta’s house, office raided

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Lokayukta scam

Bengaluru: The ongoing probe with regard to the allegations of corruption taking place in the Lokayukta office, led the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to make a thorough search of the official residence and office of Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao. The team managed to procure certain documents.

The search at the residence and office took place in the absence of Bhaskar Rao. Officials, though confirmed the search, refused to state any details based on the documents recovered.

Officials state that investigations began after few touts were arrested. They also said that a deeper analysis of phone records revealed that conspirators were present at the official residence and at the Lokayukta’s office to plan the operations.

“Thus we have two places where crime has taken place,” said an investigating official.
Sources claim that a complaint was filed by an Irrigation Department employee, Chennabasappa against Ashwin Y.

According to the complaint, Chennabasappa had met Ashwin at the Lokayukta’s official residence. At present, Ashwin is the main accused in the case and is in the custody of SIT.

The team was successful in raiding many locations which include two places that belong to Ashwin’s father Bhaskar Rao. SIT has recovered few documents that were seized from Ashwin’s Hyderabad house.

(Agencies)

Lokayukta joint commissioner Syed Riyaz arrested

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Lokayukta scam

Bengaluru: Karnataka Lokayukta joint commissioner Syed Riyaz was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Sunday night for his alleged involvement in collecting bribes from state officials.

“We have taken Riyaz into custody from a private hospital where he was taking treatment for blood pressure and diabetes,” said a senior investigating officer.

As part of its probe into the graft charges against some unidentified officials in the watchdog, though the SIT team summoned Riyaz for interrogation, he delayed by extending his leave from July 17 to July 31 on returning from pilgrimage to Makkah on July 19.

“Preliminary investigation and interrogation of three suspected extortionists whom we arrested last week revealed that Riayz was one of the kingpins in threatening many officials of booking graft cases and raiding their premises if they did not pay up over the years,” the officer said.

The SIT, headed by Additional Director General of Police Kamal Pant, was set up by the state government on the request of Lokayukta, Justice (retd.) Y. Bhaskar Rao on June 30 to probe the graft charges, including a bribe of Rs.1 crore sought allegedly by his son Ashwin Rao.

The SIT is also on the lookout for Riyaz’s brother-in-law Sadiq for allegedly being part of the extortionist gang.

The three co-accused in the scam are Ashok Kumar, Srinivas Gowda and Shankare Gowda, who used to threaten officials and extort money after collecting information against them through the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

(Agencies)

Extortion racket: SIT arrests Karnataka Lokayukta’s son Ashwin Rao

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Ashwin Rao

Bengaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday arrested Karnataka Lokayukta Bhaskar Rao son, Ashwin Rao, for allegedly running an extortion from the ombudsman’s office. He was arrested by the team led by DCP Labhu Ram in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Ashiwn will be brought back to Bengaluru by evening. Meanwhile, his arrest has delivered a serious blow to embattled Lokayukta Rao, who has been refusing to quit despite protests from various quarters.

This is the second high-profile arrest in the case in less than 24 hours. On Sunday, Joint Commissioner (PRO) Syed Riyaz was held on the charges of the corruption by the SIT. He has been the PRO for the watch dog for 18 years now. So far six have been arrested in the case.

The SIT arrested Riyaz in connection with the FIR (56/2015) pertaining to threatening and attempting to extort money from PWD Executive Engineer M N Krishnamurthy. Though the SIT had already arrested three individuals, Riyaz is the first Lokayukta official to be arrested.

Sources said Riyaz had played a vital role in the Krishnamurthy case. Ashok Kumar, the first to be arrested by the SIT, had been in constant touch with Riyaz. Ashok, a realtor, had made several calls to Riyaz. The pattern of these calls is interesting as after each call from Ashok, Riyaz would immediately call Y Ashwin, son of Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao. Ashwin was named accused number one by the Lokayukta police in the FIR registered on July 1.

(Agencies)

Lokayukta scam case: two more held

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Lokayukta scam

Bengaluru: Two more accused have been arrested by the Special Investigation Team in the Lokayukta bribery case in the state.

M B Srinivasa Gowda(30), a journalist and a partner of the Biriyani Adda chain in Bengaluru, and his associate Shankaregowda(35), an RTI activist are the arrested.

They were arrested from a hotel in Rajajinagar in the city. They are the second and third accused respectively, and are both natives of Kolar district. They were arrested as per the information given by second accused Ashok Kumar, a realtor, who was arrested by the SIT on Tuesday.

Sources said that both Srinivasa Gowda and Shankaregowda, were assigned to gather information about corrupt officials and inform Ashok Kumar. Ashok Kumar, in turn, would call officials to extort money from them, sources said.

The Special Investigation Team also issued a notice to Ashwin Y, son of Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao, to appear in person before it within three days. Ashwin is the first accused in the extortion case.

Both the accused have been handed over to the SIT by Special Court Judge V G Bopaiah for interrogation till July 31 and were produced in the court by DCP Labhu Ram.

(Agencies)

SIT makes first arrest in Lokayukta scam

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Lokayukta scam

Bengaluru: Bangalore-based businessman Ashok Kumar was arrested and produced before the Lokayukta special court by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), who is investigating the case of corruption in anti-graft ombudsman, on Tuesday.

This is the first arrest made in the case.

The 30-year-old businessman, who is into real estate and sand transportation business, was the one who made calls to executive engineer M N Krishnamurthy of Bengaluru Zilla Panchayat.

As per the FIR registered against Ashwin (son of Lokayukta Justice Bhaskar Rao), the accused had called Krishnamurthy to the office of Lokayukta PRO Syed Riyas, saying that the Lokayukta wanted to see them. At the office, Ashwin introduced himself as Krishna Rao and demanded a bribe of Rs one crore to avoid a Lokayukta police raid.

However, Krishnamurthy had refused to pay and had orally complained about the incident to Bengaluru Urban Division SP Sonia Narang last May.

The investigation team found that Ashok, a resident of Rajajinagar, was the one who had talked to Krishnamurthy on phone.  Thus finding out, Ashok’s role in the particular case.

The special court sent Ashok to SIT custody for 10 days.

(Agencies)

Siddaramaiah puts onus on Governor to remove Justice Bhaskar Rao

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KARNATAKA JOINT SESSION

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday distanced himself from the efforts being made by the Opposition for removal of Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao by saying that Governor Vajubhai Vala should take a decision on the matter.

The governor is understood to be in consultation with legal experts on the growing demand for Justice Rao’s removal.

Vala has reportedly sought a detailed report from the State government on the recent developments in the anti-corruption watchdog, including charges against Justice Rao’s son, Ashwin.

An attempt by the Opposition parties, the BJP and the JD(S), to move a motion in both Houses of the Legislature seeking removal of the Lokayukta, is unlikely to materialise.

100 signatures

Advocate General K Ravivarma Kumar has reportedly told the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting attended by leaders of all political parties that signatures of minimum 100 MLAs and 50 MLCs are required to submit a memorandum seeking to move the motion, as per the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968.

The memorandum submitted by the Opposition parties last week to the presiding officers of the Assembly and the Council had signatures of 57 MLAs and 33 MLCs.

The BAC meeting was convened at Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi to take a decision on the memorandum. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar were among the leaders who attended the meeting.

The presiding officers have reserved their ruling. The need for amending the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984, to enable the State government to intervene and take appropriate steps to protect the dignity of the institution was also discussed at the BAC meeting.

(Agencies)

Lokayukta corruption row: Opposition mounts pressure for CBI probe

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Bhaskar-Rao

Belagavi: Keeping up pressure for removal of Lokaykuta Bhaskar Rao and a CBI probe into alleged bribery scandal in the anti-graft body, Opposition BJP and JDS members today staged a walkout from the Legislative Council, accusing the government of shielding the corrupt.

As the House proceedings began, BJP and JDS sought to move an adjournment motion on the scandal that has rocked the Lokayukta office and demanded removal of Rao, alleging his son was involved in corruption amounting to crores of rupees.

In their joint notice for adjournment motion, both parties said several social organisations, legal fraternity and its associations had expressed their dismay against the “corrupt” Lokayukta which was weakening the very institution and he should be removed.

As BJP leader K S Eshwarappa began speaking, he was interrupted frequently by the ruling Congress members which enraged his party members who staged a walkout, followed by their counterparts in JDS also.

Minister and Leader of the House S R Patil told reporters it is very unfortunate that BJP and JD(S) members walked out only because some from the ruling bench interrupted them.

“The government has no intention of protecting anyone. But government has no power for removal of Lokayukta as per the Lokayukta Act 1984,” he said.

Later, Eshwarappa told reporters that the government should seek opinion from legal experts on the charges levelled against Lokayukta.

A situation had arisen where all officers are scared of Lokayukta due to threat from his son, Eshwarappa said. The was protecting a corrupt Lokayukta, he alleged.

JDS senior member Basavarj Horatti wanted to know as to why government is protecting the Lokayukta.

An FIR was filed yesterday against the Lokayukta’s son in connection with the alleged scandal on the basis of a complaint that an executive engineer was asked to pay Rs 1 crore bribe to avoid a raid.

Rao, a former High Court Chief Justice, has rejected allegations that his son was involved in the scandal and said he would resign if the charge was proved correct.

The case has been handed over to a Special Investigation team by the government on the request by the Lokayukta.

(PTI)

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