Daijiworld Media Network – Mandya (SP)

Mandya, Nov 14: Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a private function held at Nagamangala in the district on Sunday November 13, former Karnataka Chief Minister, H D Kumaraswamy, came down heavily on former Lokayukta, Justice N Santosh Hegde, and the office of the state Lokayukta. “Justice Hegde does not have the morality to speak about corruption,” he added.

He noted that large scale debates are going on relating to eradication of corruption in the state, and there is an impression among the people that Justice Hegde had functioned successfully as the Lokayukta. “He has been trying to muster popularity by organizing public debates through organizations and college students about corruption. If he was effective, why could he not regulate rampant corruption present in his own department?” he questioned.

Kumaraswamy claimed that Madhukar Shetty, former superintendent of police in Lokayukta, had gone to a foreign country on some pretext, as he was fed up with the system prevailing in Lokayukta. It may be recalled that reports have appeared in sections of media about Madhukar Shetty’s reported claim that some notoriously corrupt elements were functioning in Lokayukta, and because of this, and having ashamed at this state of affairs, he had come out of this institution.

Madhukar Shetty has commented that he had not seen such a large gathering of cheaters and corrupt people in any other place than Lokayukta institution. He also added that these people are more dangerous than the corrupt persons, Kumaraswamy pointed out. This gives rise to doubts that Justice Hegde has been using some processes the Lokayukta office indulged in, as pawns to build his own image. Many government offices including the offices of the sub-registrars regularly pay donations to the Lokayukta office. Everyone has a share in this booty,” he claimed.

Kumaraswamy said that some of the officials working for Lokayukta had got themselves transferred to this agency, after coming becoming aware that their misdeeds are being investigated, and to get protection from this action.  “What can we expect from the people who were unable to unearth the corruption going on right under their noses?” he questioned.

By announcing that JDS will support an independent candidate capable of defeating both Congress and BJP in Bellary rural assembly election, Kumaraswamy indirectly revealed that his party will back Sriramulu.