Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Dec 6: Speaking to media persons here on Sunday December 5, union minister for law and justice, M Veerappa Moily, accused the state government of deciding to conduct judicial inquiry into land scams with the specific aim of evading impartial investigation by the state Lokayukta.
“The Lokayukta has already been conducting investigations into various land scams in a proper manner. He should be given an opportunity to do his work freely. The judicial inquiry can not bring out any new truths. It can only repeat what is already known. Moreover, judicial inquiry commission does not have the right to punish the guilty,” Moily explained.
He also criticized the state BJP president for talking lightly about the Lokayukta. Moily said that the Lokayukta, which has been formed under the constitutional provisions, is an independent body, and not a government-run institution. He pointed out that the Lokayukta has the power to conduct investigations into almost all matters, and come out with its findings, and felt that opposing this institution is tantamount to opposing the legislative assembly.
Moily termed the decision taken by Y S Jaganmohan Reddy in Andhra Pradesh as childish. Reacting to a question, he said that Jagan has thrown to winds the policies and principles followed by his father, former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, the late Rajasekhara Reddy.
Moily said that a minimum of 25% of judges will henceforth, be appointed through the National Judicial Service, about which a bill would be moved in the budget session of the Lok Sabha.
Moily also raised objections about the statement reportedly made by renowned Kannada writer, S L Bhyarappa, about the nature of Kannadigas. Bhyrappa is said to have termed Kannadigas as having 'Tarle Buddhi (inclined to create problems)'. Moily was also critical of Bhyrappa's open support for Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi. He advised Bhyrappa to introspect on his statements, and expressed the belief that the litterateurs should always remain secular, and stay away from issuing statements based on castes and religions.