Political interference in probe de-motivates Lokayukta officials

Justice Santosh Hegde claimed that BJP leaders had met him at his residence a couple of months ago, tried to influence him to delete Chief Minister Yeddyurappa's name from the report

Political interference in probe de-motivates Lokayukta officials

Justice Santosh Hegde claimed that BJP leaders had met him at his residence a couple of months ago, tried to influence him to delete Chief Minister Yeddyurappa's name from the report

Santosh Hegde

"The incidents we are witnessing these days are not encouraging. I think our hobnobbing with the politicians is hindering our functioning," said a police officer in the Lokayukta.

The officer was apparently referring to the incidents right from Hegde withdrawing his resignation, which he had tendered protesting political intervention, to the revelation of local party leaders frequenting his house.

Hegde had said, that the BJP leaders -- Dhananjaya Kumar, representative of the state government in Delhi, Dr V S Acharaya, minister for higher education, and A J Kodgi, chairman of third state finance reforms commission -- had met him at his residence a couple months ago and tried to influence him to delete Yeddyurappa's name from the report.

The revelation came after Dhanajaya Kumar went around saying he had fixed the Lokayukta in favour of Yeddyurappa and his name would not be figured in the report. Hegde reprimanded Dhanajaya Kumar, regretting for entertaining him. "I was friendly with him because he is from my hometown and spoke Tulu. But, he can't take it for granted," Hegde said.

However, the incident has sent shock waves among the Lokayukta staff, when the politically significant report is to be submitted to the government shortly. The concerns are particularly on Hegde taking two months to reveal it.

The second report is considered more explosive, while the government is yet to act on the first submitted in 2008, because the Lokayukta was entrusted with the job in the wake of sensational Belekere ore theft that had rattled the political circle last year.

While the report is expected to uncover the involvement of many politicians, it was it was to be submitted, on 31 March this year, as per the Lokayukta's self-imposed deadline. However, it was postponed with the reason that various other investigating agencies including CBI, Central Empowered Committee (CEC) appointed by the Supreme Court, Income-Tax department, and Enforcement Directorate (ED) were investigating the same case, and Hegde didn't want his report overlapping with that of them.

However, the Lokayukta has missed several deadlines thereafter including 15 July, giving reasons to his detractors to criticise him. "Hegde's move is a clear indication that he is sympathetic to the BJP and he is protecting the corrupt. After missing several self-imposed deadlines, what is the point in submitting it at the verge of his retirement? Who will be there for the follow up action?" said B K Hariprasad, AICC general secretary.

He was concerned about the Lokaykta post felling vacant after Hegde's retirement, on August 3, as the government is in no mood to find a person to replace him. Sources in the Lokayukta said the honest officials were fed up with the political intervention and that was the reason why officers like Madhukar Shetty, and R K Datta opted out of the institution.

Shetty, superintendent of police, went on a study leave a couple of months ago. He was reportedly upset over not been given a free hand while investigating the land scam case involving the then minister Katta Subramanya Naidu, his son Katta Jagadish Naidu.

Meanwhile, Hegde refuted the reports about officials being discouraged. "I don't think anyone is de-motivated. There is no reason for it as I have made it clear that I would not be bogged down by any sort of pressure," said Hegde.

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