K'taka HC refuses to quash chargesheet against former lokayukta Justice Rao

Justice Rao has been named accused number 7 in the chargesheet that also names his son Ashwin Rao and former PRO of lokayukta Syed Riyaz.

The Karnataka High court on Tuesday dismissed former Lokayukta Justice Bhaskar Rao's petition to quash the chargesheet against him in misuse of office case that ultimately forced him to quit from the post of Lokayukta.

The HC had summoned Justice Rao following which he had sought for chargesheet against him to be quashed. Justice Rao is accused of Nepotism and misuse of office. He is also accused of allowing his son to use Lokayukta office premises and property to extort money and threaten. Justice Rao has been named accused number 7 in the chargesheet that also names his son Ashwin Rao and former PRO of lokayukta Syed Riyaz.

A total of 11 people were arrested following a probe by then Lokayukta SP Sonia Narang which was carried on by Upalokayukta Subhash B Adi and ultimately handed over to an SIT. The SIT had filed a chargesheet in august this year which also featured the name of Justice Bhaskar Rao after which he was issued summons.

In his petition to the Hich court, the former lokayukta had sought to invoke immunity but to no avail. High Court bench presided by Justice Anand Bairareddy rejected his petition.

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