Karn Lokayukta resigns over extortion racket linked to son

As the prospect of his removal loomed large with an impeachment process underway, controversial Karnataka Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao has resigned over an alleged extortion racket in the anti-graft ombudsman's office linked to his son.
Rao bowed out of office after resisting the growing clamour for his exit since the charge against his son Ashwin Rao surfaced. Ashwin has been accused of operating a racket from the ombudsman's office.
Rao, a former Karnataka High Court Chief Justice, tendered his resignation yesterday and it was accepted by Governor Vajubhai R Vala today, a Raj Bhavan communique said.
"Hon'ble Governor of Karnataka is pleased to accept the resignation of Dr Justice Y Bhaskar Rao, as Lokayukta of Karnataka state with immediate effect," it said.

Rao, who initially put up a brave front insisting he would quit only when his son is proved guilty, was on a long leave since July last. The Special Investigation Team probing the scandal had arrested Ashwin Rao regarding the case.
A motion moved by BJP and JDS and also supported by the ruling Congress seeking the removal of Rao is pending before the Karnataka Assembly. The Speaker Kagodu Thimappa is said to be considering it before referring the issue to the Karnataka High Court Chief Justice to take the process forward.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, whose government was accused of being soft towards Bhaskar Rao told reporters here, "It is only proper that he has resigned. He had to resign, he has resigned."

Opposition BJP leader in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar said it was a victory for the struggle by the Opposition and wanted Bhaskar Rao to be made an accused in the case.
After coming in the line of fire for "soft pedaling" the
corruption charge against the Lokayukta, the Siddaramaiah government had brought changes to the Lokayukta Act recently to simplify rules for removal of the anti-graft ombudsman, which was passed by the legislature.
Under the amended Act, on admission of the motion, the presiding officers shall refer the matter to the High Court Chief Justice for investigation into the grounds over which the removal is sought.

If the charges against the Lokayukta are proved by the inquiry, it is then taken up for consideration and adoption of the motion and sent to the Governor for assent.
The investigation for proof of misbehaviour or incapacity of Lokayukta has to be done as provided in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, by a three-member committee, comprising two judges and a jurist.
The scandal surfaced after Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Sonia Narang wrote a letter to the Registrar of Karnataka Lokayukta about the complaint she received from a person who alleged that someone from the Lokayukta office demanded Rs 1 crore in bribe to avoid a raid. Subsequently, more such alleged bribery cases tumbled out.

The SIT has arrested 11 persons, including Ashwin Rao and registered five cases in connection with the alleged racket.
In another development, a motion seeking removal of Upa Lokayukta Subhash Adi, moved by the Congress but not supported by BJP and JDS, is also before the Assembly.
In their petition against Adi, the ruling party members have accused him of "misuse of office, misconduct and inefficiency".
The Opposition maintains there are no specific charges against Adi and the move was an attempt to shut down the Lokayukta institution itself.
The Assembly Speaker has, however, said that he was not convinced with the evidence produced that Adi had shown favouritism and exceeded his jurisdiction.