Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 20: A Shivamogga-based advocate, B Vinod, has written to the state governor and assembly speaker, seeking their permission to file criminal suit against state housing minister, Ambareesh. Through a three-page letter dated December 19, the advocate has sought permission to sue the minister for obtaining reimbursement of treatment as well as travel expenses of himself and his close ones, which is punishable under section 19(1) of Prevention of Corruption Act.

In his letter, the advocate has pointed out that as per section 13 (1), D(1), and 2 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, the above act of the minister is tantamount to criminal misconduct. He said that as per this act, a public servant who accepts or facilitates any other to obtain illegal gratification is punishable for criminal misconduct.

This incident reminds one of an incidentinvolving advocates, Sirajuddin Basha and Balaraju, also from Shivamogga, who had written to to the then governor for permission to prosecute the then chief minister, B S Yeddyurappa. The governor had given permission as sought, and Yeddyurappa was even jailed for a few days as a consequence.

The advocate stated above has claimed that Ambareesh, in addition to claiming Rs 1.16 crore as medical expenses at Singapore's Elizabeth Medical Centre, also had got reimbursement of travel expenses of his wife and personal secretary. He has mentioned that Ambareesh was also reimbursed Rs 5.93 lac towards expenses incurred at city-based Vikram Hospital. There is no provision to meet travel expenses of other persons, he noted.

He claimed that as per the provisions in force in the state, medical expenses can be reimbursed only when treatment is obtained within the country. In special cases, where treatment was got in a foreign location, a maximum limit of five lac rupees has been prescribed. Under these circumstances, the government was not in order in footing such a huge bill, he has argued. The advocate also said that the government would have sought to justify its action if Ambareesh was financially weak. He pointed out that Ambareesh is financially sound enough to meet medical expenses incurred at super specialty hospitals.

The petitioner also stated that he had written to the chief minister on July 19 this year, drawing his attention to the above payments, and seeking recovery of these sums from the actor-turned-minister, so that the government would be able to spend this amount for the treatment of poor patients. 'There has been no response. Hence I am compelled to approach the competent authority,' he added.