Why approach media before Lokayukta?, Lokayukta to Harikrishna Bantwal

Mangaluru: Lashing out at former Congress minister for sensationalising the land grab accusation levelled against District In-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai, Lokayukta P Vishwanatha Shetty stated, “I will not entertain politicising of the issue before investigating the matter. If you want relief for a problem you should have come to Lokayukta. Why did you go to the media? It is a principle of law.”

He was responding to a complaint lodged by Hariskrishna Bantwal in a Public Complaints Inquiry and Disposal programme at Town Hall on November 17 accusing Rai of encroaching government land.

In reply, Bantwal said that he had provided all the documents before the Lokayukta and later decided to file a complaint on the same. “What was done was not for publicity”, Bantwal contended.

Lokayukta also stated that the case would be scrutinised by the department and the matter tabled before him later expressing their opinion.

Regarding a complaint raised by Sadhashiva from Bantwal that the village accountant and revenue inspector were demanding bribe to provide title deeds, the Lokayakuta ordered the tahshildar to send the revenue inspector along with the documents to him failing which, he warned of stringent action against the officer in question.

Activist Hanumanth Kamath said that despite court orders to demolish illegal constructions, the Mangalore City Corporation had not taken any action against the builders since several years. In reply to this, Lokayukta said there were few RTI activists who threaten builders to extort money but there are good activists too. He also gave 8 weeks time to MCC commissioner to look into this and respond.