Bangalore, Sept 2 (DC):  Prisons and horticulture minister Umesh V. Katti on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on former high court judge, Justice M.F. Saldanha, who had alleged that those in the government were being bribed to ensure the premature release of prisoners and demanded that he should produce proof to justify his allegations.

Speaking to reporters, Katti said he was ready to order a probe by any agency including the CBI or the Lokayukta. “Justice Saldanha has reportedly stated that I have been bribed by prisoners with the amount ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 1 crore. As the department had recommended the release of as many as 593 prisoners, I must have collected almost Rs 200 crore from these prisoners alone. Let him now come out with valid proof,” he said.

The minister alleged that Justice Saldanha had made the allegation after he directed the horticulture department to auction the fishes in a pond at Cubbon Park which was being maintained by the retired judge.

“He was taking care of the fishes and ducks as if they belonged to him. He took over the pond under a gentlemen agreement between him and then chief minister S.M. Krishna.

I do not have any proof of this agreement as neither has Mr Krishna left behind any documents on this, nor has Justice Saldanha been able to produce any till date,” he alleged.

Earlier, Justice Saldanha had alleged that a lot of money was changing hands to release prisoners in the name of good conduct. He had written a letter to Governor H.R. Bhardwaj seeking an inquiry into the matter.

When asked about the delay in releasing the 593 prisoners, the minister said the prisons department would submit a detailed police verification report on each prisoner as sought by the governor.

He disclosed that Mr Bhardwaj had sent the file back to the department sometime ago, seeking the reports of all those listed for release based on their conduct. “We will collect the reports in the next three weeks and submit it. If he still rejects our plea to release the prisoners, we will have no option but to seek the President’s intervention,” he said in response to a question