Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, Aug 30: “Karnataka Lokayuktha is the best ombudsman in the country and people should not let government to close the institution,” said Justice N Santosh Hegde, the former chief of Lokayuktha, the anti- graft agency of the state.

Justice Hegde was speaking to the children during the seminar on ‘Lokayuktha - its birth and future’ organised by the Rashtriya Nava Nirmana Vedike on Saturday here at the Gandhi Bhavan. The seminar was held to mark the birth anniversary of former chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde.

“Lokayuktha institution is the only forum for the public to get relief on issues pertaining to corruption and maladministration. During my tenure, 23,000 complaints were handled. I believe that is the primary duty of this institution.” Justice Hegde added.

Justice Hegde came down heavily on present Lokayuktha Justice Y Bhaskar Rao for not resigning in spite of his son arrested in cases of corruption and extortion. “The institution is passing through a testing time because of one person who does not vacate his seat despite the cases filed against his son. The son has been arrested and denied bail,” He said referring to the ongoing developments relating to the agency.

“People who want work in the Lokayuktha should be committed towards anti-corruption and maladministration. Though I have held various offices, the experience as Lokayuktha has given me immense satisfaction,” Justice Hegde recalled his experience.

Justice Hegde paid tributes to Ramakrishna Hegde and remembered his contribution to the Lokayuktha institution as it was during Hegde’s tenure as the chief minister, the institution of Lokayuktha came into existence.

Meanwhile Justice Y Bhaskar Rao has again extended his leave for a month ending on September 30. As per sources, he sent a letter to the in-charge registrar M S Balakrishna informing about extension of leave. No reasons for the extension of leave have been mentioned in the letter.