Action against those who threatened Lokayukta ADGP:K'taka CM

Bangalore, Nov 13: Appropriate action would be taken against those who had "threatened" Lokayukta ADGP Jeevan Kumar V Gaonkar, after police submits its probe report, Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said.

"Gaonkar has written a letter to the Chief Secretary explaining his embarrassment to continue his duty as he had been threatened by politicians connected with some sensitive case. But he has not filed any complaint against anybody. So, I am getting it investigated and will look at it after getting a report from the police," Gowda told reporters.

The Chief Minister's statement comes a day after JDS chief Deve Gowda admitted speaking to Gaonkar over phone, but rejected charges that he held out a threat in connection with the ongoing probe in a case against his eldest son H D Balakrishna Gowda. Certain words used by the JDS chief during the talk were "unpalatable" and Lokayukta Police thought it fit to bring the development to the government's notice, sources in the force had said on condition of anonymity.

Lokayukta police is probing a disproportionate assets case against Balakrishna, who opted for voluntary retirement from government service. Giving clarification on Gaonkar's transfer, Sadananda Gowda said the officer was transferred not on former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's behest or to sabotage the probe against him.

"We have transferred Gaonkar after taking cognisance of his letter written to Chief Secretary S V Ranganath. There is no truth in claims that he was shifted to derail investigation against Yeddyurappa," he said. The government had on November 10 transferred Gaonkar, who was serving as Additional Director General of Police, Karnataka Lokayukta, and brought Satyanarayana Rao H N, Additional DGP, Crimes.

PTI