Justice Santosh Hegde's various reports indicted the most powerful personalities in Karnataka, from BS Yeddyurappa to the mining barons from Bellary. The Lokayukta office under N Santosh Hegde rattled the system when it came to fighting against corruption.
But since his retirement in August, the Lokayukta office has been left in the lurch. Justice Shivraj Patil who took over from Santosh Hegde had to quit on land rule violation charges in less than two months.
After that, there has been a deadlock between Governor HR Bharadwaj and the state government over who the new Lokayukta should be. The government is insisting on the name of Justice Bannurmath, whom the Governor considers not suitable for the top corruption watch dog post.
BJP President, Karnataka KS Eshwarappa said, “We have all ready sent the recommendation to the Governor, the Governor should accept that but instead he's busy playing politics.”
“It is very simple, you go to the internet, you will find names of all retired judges of Supreme Court and chief justices and pick anyone who is not controversial. You don't require any hard work on this,” said HR Bharadwaj.
But the delay in getting a new Lokayukta and with the government being stubborn over justice Bannurmath for the next Lokayukta has raised suspicions among many in the state.
“The fact that the BJP can't find somebody else itself indicates many things,” Hegde said.
The government rejects justice Hegde's charges.
As the deadlock continues, one thing is clear that the state Lokayukta which was the most active institution in fight against corruption is now directionless.
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