From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Nov 23: The official process for the removal of Justice Y Bhaskar Rao from the post of Karnataka’s Lokayukta got underway with State Assembly Speaker KagoduThimmappa admitting the opposition BJP and JD(S) sponsored joint motion in the House on Monday.
Leader of the Opposition JagadishShettar and JD(S) Deputy Legislature Party leader Y S VDatta moved the motion seeking the removal of the Lokayukta under Section 6 of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act in the Assembly.
The motion was admitted without any discussion, as there is no provision for its discussion in the House.
State’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra, who intervened, announced that the ruling Congress too would endorse the motion moved by the Opposition.
The Speaker made it clear that he had already collected enough evidence to satisfy himself about the authenticity of facts.
"I have held consultation in this regard with Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah besides getting various facts related to the issue," he said.
He said he would discuss with them the draft of the letter to be sent to the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice for referring to the motion on removal of Lokayukta for conducting a suitable inquiry.
As per the procedure, the Speaker has to now refer the motion to the chief justice of the High Court for an inquiry.
If the court inquiry finds the Lokayukta guilty of charges, then the motion seeking removal of the Lokayukta could be taken up for consideration by the legislature. If the motion is adopted by both the Houses, then presiding officers of both the Houses will send a request to the Stare Governor seeking removal of the Lokayukta.
The Lokayukta shall be deemed to have been removed from his office once the Governor gives assent to such a request by the presiding officers.
Meanwhile, the Congress also submitted a petition for removal of Upa Lokayukta Justice B Adi on charges of misuse of office. The BJP opposed the petition and staged a protest in the House.