Protest going on against Lokayukta

Activists on Wednesday protested against the Lokayukta's supervision of the criminal case against Y Ashwin, the son of Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao, stating that the anti-graft body does not have any role to play in the matter

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"The prevention of corruption act says any investigation can be conducted only by a police officer not below the right of deputy superintendent police. How did the Lokayukta get the jurisdiction to look into the criminal case?" said former lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde.

"Lokayukta has no power. Under the Lokayukta act, to interfere in a criminal investigation: the cases registered against Ashwin are cases of extortion under IPC 384, Cheating under section 420, Trespass and section 8 of the prevention of corruption act - in none of these offences does the Lokayukta have any power to interfere," he added.

According to reports, the Karnataka Lokayukta Police had registered an FIR against Ashwin Rao, who was accused of being a part of an extortion racket, on July 1.

The members of the racket used to contact contractors and builders posing as Lokayukta officials and demand money.