Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Feb 27: It is reliably learnt that the state assembly speaker, Kagodu Timmappa, forwarded a file containing assembly proceedings and other papers connected with the proposal to remove Justice Subhash B Adi from the post of the state Upa Lokayukta, to the chief justice (CJ) of the state high court (HC). The file was sent on Friday February 26 evening, duly giving his stamp of approval to the proposal to remove Upa Lokayukta from his post.

The speaker, who was dilly-dallying on the issue during the last nearly two months, finally seemed to have made up his mind. With this development, the Upa Lokayukta may stop attending office with immediate affect, sources feel.

During the previous session, over 75 Congress members had supported the proposal to remove Justice Adi, and the speaker had admitted the same in spite of stiff resistance of the opposition. Controversies shrouded the move thereafter, as changes were allegedly made in the record of assembly proceedings because of confusion over whether the move got approval of the assembly or not. The speaker also had sought additional material to support the ouster.

When Justice Adi approached the HC seeking to know whether he can continue to work as Upa Lokayukta or not, the HC was told by the advocate general that the government had no objection on his continuing to work for the time being.

In the backdrop of confusions prevailing on on the issue and the case pending before the HC, the move of the CJ on this issue is awaited with interest.