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Is Governor delaying appointment of Lokayukta in Karnataka?
The appointment of Lokayukta in Karnataka has become a real challenge for the BJP with things under intense media scrutiny.
Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda and Governor HR Bhardwaj seem to be on a collusion course over the issue which is leading to the unreasonable delay.
The post of Lokayukta is vacant for the past two months now. In fact, after media scrutiny, Justice Shivraj Patil who took over from Justice Santosh Hegde as Lokayukta had to quit after allegations of getting land allotment in violation of rules.
However, the BJP Government has suggested the name of former Chief Justice of Kerala High Court Justice Bannurmath as Lokayukta which was subsequently rejected by Governor Bhardwaj as a section of the media made allegations of his getting land in violation of rules. Hence, the Governor advised the Government to suggest one more name for the post. However, Bhardwaj suggested that the Government should select a candidate with impeccable record to head the anti-corruption agency.
He said, “It is a significant post and a person who is as able and transparent as Justice N Santosh Hegde should be selected.” According to Raj Bhavan sources, the Governor also has sent a few names for the consideration of the Government.
After Justice Hegde demitted office in August 2011, his successor, Justice Shivraj V Patil resigned within a month following allegations of securing a plot from a housing co-operative society by violating by-laws. Now, Justice Bannurmath, too, faces a similar charge of grabbing up to 6,600 sq feet of land meant of public property by ignoring by-laws. The Housing Co-operatives Act 1959 disqualifies judges from securing plots meant for public purposes.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference in Bangalore, Karnataka Chief Minister Gowda said the Government was awaiting Governor’s official response to its request to appoint Justice SG Bannurmath.
He said, “Unless papers come back to us from the Governor, we can’t recommend other names. The matter will be considered after getting reply from the Governor.”
The Chief Minister said that Bhardwaj had called him for a discussion on Bannurmath issue in the wake of media reports that the former judge secured allotment of a residential site, which was earmarked for civic amenities in the judges layout plan and he had offered certain explanation on the matter. It is learnt that during his meeting with Gowda, the Governor asked for another name for the post.
Meanwhile, former Lokayukta Justice Santhosh Hegde told reporters in Mangalore that any unreasonable delay in the appointment of Lokayukta will affect the functioning of the institution as all the decisions that need to be taken by the Lokayukta will be kept in cold storage.
