BANGALORE: Karnataka IT-BT Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu and his Corporator son Katta Jagadish resigned on Friday after an FIR was issued against them by Karnataka Lokayuktha on charges of cheating, conspiracy and fabrication of documents in a land deal.
The Governor has accepted the resignation of Katta forwarded by the Chief Minister. Both Congress and JD(S) have approached Lokayuktha with a list of land scam charges against Chief Minister and some of his council of ministers, even though the Government has instituted a judicial probe by a retired High Court Jugde. The Karnataka High Court is also hearing an appeal to decide who should investigate the land scam, the Lokayuktha or the Judicial Commission. Lokayuktha Justice Santhosh Hegde has clarified that arresting the accused is not mandatory unless it is felt that the person is trying to tamper with evidence or influencing the witness. Justice Hegde said former minister Katta Subramanya Naidu and his son have resigned but that does not absolve them of the charges.