BANGALORE: (AMN) The Judicial probe by retired High Court Judge on the land scam ordered by chief minister Yedduraappa has come for criticism by the Lokayukta, Justice Santhosh Hegde. In a letter to the Chief Secretary Ranganath, Justice Hegde has expressed his displeasure at handing over land scam investigation to a Judicial Commission when the same is being investigated by Lokayukta. He has also charged that Government’s action has violated Lokayukta Act which stipulates that any inquiry pending with the Lokayukta, can be handed over to any other agency only after consultation with him. The Opposition parties, on the other hand, are also stiffly opposing investigation by the Judicial Commission instead of Lokayukta.
The tussle between Lokayuktha Justice Santosh Hedge and the Yeddyurappa Government is getting murkier by the day. Justice Hegde is so peeved over the government’s decision to hold a parallel probe by a Commission that he went to the extent of saying that government should wind up the Lokayukta, if it has no faith in it. Lokayukta has also slammed Government for inaction on various reports submitted by him. Reacting to allegation that his actions reflect vengeance towards the Chief Minister, Justice Hegde has explained that he received 14 complaints against the Chief Minister till now. But he has issued notice to him in only one case. Lokayuktha said, If I had vengeance against the CM, I could have utilized these complainsts to embarrass him.
