KTAKA-LOKAYUKTA 2LST

Hegde attributed the delay in commencing the probe to
lack of documents and pendency of some cases before the High
Court.
On the seven cases on which government had sought a
status report, he said "all necessary measures have been
taken...public notices have been given and investigation is
already on in these cases."
Expressing displeasure over motives attributed to him
by a section of a political party, which he did not name, he
said he harboured no prejudice against any party and
considered all on equal standing.
"I want to explain my stand to a section of political
party attributing malice and prejudice to me. I presume I am
taking up investigation against the Chief Minister and members
of his cabinet in mortal hurry, all because of collateral
reasons. I want to tell them I have no such malice against any
political party."
Maintaining that he has been impartial in discharging
his duties, Hegde said, "I do not have any hatred against BJP
or Chief Minister. If I had any hatred, I would not have
closed eight cases without even issuing notices."
On government ordering a judicial probe into the
alleged land scams when the matter is pending before the
Lokayukta, Hegde said, "trying to take away any legitimate
investigation without even discussing it is an insult to the
institution. It is not at all proper.
"It is an affront to an organisation which is created
under a statute. I am not prepared to accept this kind of
action from the government or any opposition party."
Earlier the Lokayukta came under attack from four BJP
Members of Legislative Assembly for being critical of the
Yeddyurappa government.
S R Vishwanath, Satish Reddy, Ramappa Lamani and
Suresh Gowda, addressing a press conference, took exception to
certain remarks made by Hegde against Yeddyurappa which they
termed "pronouncing judgement before finding the guilt of a
person".
Vishwanath and Gowda went to the extent of demanding
that Hegde tender an apology to the Chief Minister, failing
which they would stage a dharna in front of Lokayukta office.
Reacting sharply to the MLAs criticism, Hegde said
"they are free to do whatever they want. I will do what is
required of me as Lokayukta."
Hegde had also questioned the inaction by the
government on various reports submitted to it, including on
illegal mining.
Asked if he would quit in the wake of fresh
developments, Hegde said he regretted his earlier decision to
withdraw his resignation bowing to pressures from BJP top
leaders, including L K Advani.
"If I had done that (resignation), I would not have
been in a dilemma that I am in today", he said, but declared
he would not be resigning again.
Hegde had resigned in June this year after expressing
strong displeasure over the government not doing enough to
tackle corruption, but retrenched his step after relenting to
pressure from Advani. PTI BH
SAK


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