Karnataka Lokayukta: Special session to oust Justice Bhaskar Rao?

Bengaluru, Aug 18: There is more trouble ahead for Justice Y Bhaskar Rao, the Lokayukta of Karnataka. The assent given by the Governor of Karnataka, Vajubhai Vala to the Karnataka Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill of 2015 now empowers the Legislature of the state to remove the Lokayukta.

Last month the Karnataka Legislature had empowered itself to remove the Lokayukta Justice Bhaskar Rao and had even simplified the procedure.

The decision to amendment the Lokayukta act was taken after allegations of corruption were leveled against the institution.

It was alleged that Justice Rao's son and some others part of the Lokayukta were involved in an extortion racket which is now being probed by the Special Investigating Team set up by the government of Karnataka.

Special session to remove the Lokayukta

In all likelihood the government of Karnataka would convene a special session in the month of September to effect the removal of the Lokayukta, Justice Rao. With the Governor now giving his assent to the amendments, the legislature can now pass a motion to remove the Lokayukta.

As per the amendments the Lokayukta can be removed if the motion is passed by two third of the members present in the House on that day.

There has been a hue and cry demanding the ouster of Justice Rao. He is currently on leave and is expected to return to office on August 31. The Karnataka Government would expect him to resign on his own failing which they would pass a motion to remove him.

However, this motion would be passed in a special session only in the month of September after the BBMP elections.

Faith has to be restored

Members of the opposition in Karnataka feel that the amended act should be used to restore the faith in the institution it once enjoyed. People are shying away from the Lokayukta as it is mired in allegations of corruption today.

The number of complaints being filed before the Lokayukta has gone down from 40 to 10 per day and this shows that the trust is diminishing fast.

Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Jagadish Shettar had said that the Lokayukta should not be at the mercy of the ruling party. The intention should be to clean up the mess and ensure that the trust of the people is restored in the Lokayukta.

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