Karnataka Lokayukta Hegde withdraws resignation

Bangalore, July 4: Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde on Saturday, Jun 3 withdrew his resignation after Bharatiya Janata Party chief Nitin Gadkari and Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa met him on Saturday.

Hegde had resigned last month citing corruption in Yeddyurappa government.

"When Advaniji advises, I have to obey. If Governor H R Bhardwaj gives me appointment, I will meet him tomorrow to withdraw my resignation", said Hegde before media persons after meeting Gadkari.

Earlier on Saturday, senior BJP leader LK Advani had also reportedly urged Hegde to withdraw his resignation.

"I have known Justice Santosh Hegde for a long time. He is an eminent jurist for whom all of us have great respect. As Lokayukta of Karnataka, he has certain concerns, I am sure the state government of Karnataka will address them earnestly," Advani said.

There were requests from several quarters, including from Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, to Hegde asking him to take back his resignation, an NDTV report stated.

Hegde had alleged that there was rampant corruption in Karnataka, including in the government, which was making it difficult for him to function and submitted his resignation.

He took on corrupt officers, conducted raids and booked even a ruling party BJP MLA Sampangi for taking bribes. But those, his team raided, were often reinstated in the same post from which they were suspended without consulting him and they were sometimes even rewarded.

ANI