Mysuru: “Undoubtedly the state government influenced Special Investigative Team (SIT) can’t be unbiased regarding the Lokayukta case and thus the Samaj Parivartan Samudaya (SPS) has lodged a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High court to give the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)”, said Founder President of SPS SR Hiremath.
Speaking at a press meet here on Friday he said, “The dignity of the Lokayukta is being damaged with the case against Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao. Even though the state government has the power to conduct an investigation in this case, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is not at all responding in the right manner. Unbiased investigation is doubtful, as the SIT is under the influence of ministers and hence we have submitted a 100-page PIL to the High court to hand over the case to CBI.”
He went on to say that there is no objection from anybody to dispose Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao but Siddaramaiah led government is holding back from utilising constitutional power to remove accused Lokayukta. “We have written a letter to the President of the nation and Supreme court Chief Justice for strict investigation in the case. CM was supposed to work constitutionally this time where everyone lost hope on the Lokayukta. It would be respectful if the Lokayukta would have resigned. Since he is not leaving his place, we are making use law for justice now. We hope for the best”, he said.
Ministers in support as they have cases against them
Speaking about ministers who are in support of the accused and the current investigation by the Special Investigation team, Hiremath said, “The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who had assured about transparent administration has forgotten his words now. He has kept quiet this regard. Files have been moved to unknown known places, that too in front of the media. What does this mean?”
“Five ministers (including CM) Home minister K J George, Minister for fuel DK Shivakumar, Minister for food and civil supplies Dinesh Gundurao and Law minister TB Jayachandra have stood in support for the accused as there are cases against them in Lok ayukta”, he alleged.
Further commenting on the biased nature of the SIT and their investigation he said, “Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao and his son Ashwin rao Y are engaged in systematically destroying or manipulating or otherwise damage. What were the Lokayukta police and Registrar were doing when files were being shifted? SIT should have prevented this. We have written a letter to the head of SIT, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Kamal Pant this regard”.
Displaying approval on the rejection of the proposal of Justice KL Manjunath as the upa-lokayukta, he said that Manjunath was a controversial man who has serious accusations against him. He said that it was a good move for the government to reject the proposal, however, he expressed his disappointment about the irresponsible statement made by the CM and also alleged that Minister DK Shivakumar was influencing law itself.
Accusing SIT for the delay in the investigation, he said that a probe on ADGP Kamal Pant, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Labhu Ram and Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Soumendu Mukherjee must be done in this regard”, adding that they are hopeful that justice will be done.
