Bengaluru, Jul 4 (DHNS): Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao has passed another order directing ADGP Lokayukta not to proceed with any investigation based on any complaints already filed or to be filed in the matter relating to corruption in the Lokayukta office.
Though, as the Lokayukta, he cannot interfere in the police investigation, Justice Rao has written to Lokayukta ADGP, Prem Shankar Meena, to direct his subordinates not to probe any complaints received on the administrative side in the office of the ombudsman.
The letter addressed to the ADGP through in-charge registrar stated, “In view of the facts, even in respect of complaints pertaining to allegations of corruption alleged to have taken place in the premises of Lokayukta office, received or to be received in the Lokayukta office in respect of the above matter (case involving Ashwin) we have to await the report of SIT and thereafter take appropriate decision in the matter. Any violation of order of the High Court would amount to contempt of court. In view of the above, as per the order of the High Court, ADGP is requested to instruct police not to register cases and not to proceed with the investigation based on such complaints received on administrative side in the office of the Lokayukta.”
Sources said the investigation into the FIR registered (56/2015) against Ashwin Rao, son of Bhaskar Rao, has completely halted as per the orders of the Lokayukta. Senior police officials were not told anything about the legal opinion on the High Court order.
Senior Supreme Court counsel K V Dhananjay said such orders from the Lokayukta only amounted to clear interference in the police investigation. “What has been stayed by the High Court is the internal enquiry so that the external SIT could enquire in place of the internal wing. A criminal investigation is very different from a mere enquiry. Who is the Lokayukta to say that a crime of extortion and bribery should not be investigated by the Lokayukta police? He is nobody to say so and nobody need heed him. The FIR already registered should be swiftly acted upon,” he said.
Though there is no stay on the FIR against Ashwin, the Lokayukta police have stalled the investigation on the directions by the Lokayukta. The delay in arrest will only hamper the investigation, he added. “Why on earth aren’t we seeing any arrests yet? Who is the Lokayukta police shielding? The Lokayukta police who are going soft should themselves become the subject of a criminal investigation and that is what I foresee happening if they try to shield the crooks in this case.”