Karnataka Lokayukta Bhaskar Rao's resignation should not have been accepted: Justice Santosh Hegde

Bengaluru: After serious allegations of corruption levelled against Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao and his son, now in a major development- Rao has tendered his resignation to the Governor of Karnataka.

Bhaskar Rao resigned as Lokayukta in the afternoon hours of Monday, Dec 7 and the Governor of Karnataka accepted the resignation on Tuesday, Dec 8.

However, former Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde opined that the timing of the resignation is doubtful and the governor should not had accepted the resignation.

It could be recalled that Rao's son Ashwin Rao was in a fix for allegedly running an extortion racket blackmailing officers by threating to organize Lokayukta raid, had officers failed to pay the demanded ransom. Ashwin is facing allegations of misusing the anti-ombudsmen office which his father is heading.

Subsequently case was filed against Rao's son. However, reluctant Rao then claimed he would only demit office if his son is pronounced guilty in the matter. There was also massive uproar from the political quarters cutting across party line demanding immediate resignation of the Lokayukta.

Following this, Ashwin Rao faced arrest in the month of July, 2015. Rao at that time went on leave from the day his son was arrested till Dec 7. The fresh move by Rao has surprised many.

Santosh Hegde speaking to OneIndia said the resignation should not have been accepted by the governor at this juncture. "There is an impeachment process underway and the resignation points to a tactic by Rao to avoid legal consequences."

The legislatures had passed a resolution in this regard and High Court now has to constitute an enquiry committee to deal with the case.

When all these processes are underway his timing of the resignation seems doubtful and I was expecting this move any day, said Hegde.

OneIndia News