The advocates staged a protest here on Wednesday under the aegis of the Bar Association of Shivamogga, demanding the resignation of Lokayukta Y. Bhaskar Rao following the charge of corruption levelled against his son Ashwin Y., and a relative, Krishna Rao.
Addressing the protest meet, Ashok Bhat, an advocate, said that prima facie, it appears that the office of the Karnataka Lokayukta had been misused by the relatives of Mr. Rao and therefore, he should resign from his post on moral grounds.
If Mr. Rao continued to hold the office, an impartial probe into the matter could not conducted. Mr. Rao should immediately step down to allow an impartial probe into the matter. Besides, cases should be filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Ashwin Y., and Krishna Rao, immediately, he said.
The recent corruption charges had dented the image of Karnataka Lokayukta, which had once been considered a role model for the entire nation following the crusade it had launched against corrupt elements during the tenure of N. Venkatachala and N. Santosh Hegde. It was essential to initiate immediate measures to restore the credibility of the institution, he said.
The protesters raised slogans demanding a probe from the Criminal Investigation Bureau into the matter to bring out the truth.
President of the association N. Devendrappa and general secretary K.M. Jayaram were present.
‘Image tarnished’
Mandya Staff Correspondent reports:
A group of advocates from across the district staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Wednesday, urging Lokayukta Y. Bhaskar Rao to resign.
Raising slogans against Mr. Rao, the advocates said that the image of Karnataka Lokayukta had been tarnished by Mr. Rao.
“Unfortunately, Mr. Rao has been defending his son, who had allegedly demanded bribe from a government official,” they alleged.
The allegations against Mr. Rao and his son were serious in nature. Hence, Mr. Rao should take moral responsibility and relinquish his post immediately to uphold the sanctity and dignity of the post. Alternatively, the Lokayukta should proceed on leave to allow a free and fair investigation into the case, they said.
The protestors urged the authorities concerned to initiate measures against the accused in the alleged bribery scam, including filing a criminal case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, “to instil confidence among people about the institution.” Later, the advocates submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner M.N. Ajay Nagabhushan. Basavaraju, Ravikumar, Nagaraj, Jayalakshmi, Puttaswamy and Mahesh were among those present.
Dharna staged
Hassan Staff Correspondent reports
The Bar Association of Hassan on Wednesday staged a protest demanding resignation of Lokayukta Y. Bhaskar Rao.
The advocates staged a dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office and raised slogans against the Lokayukta. B. Chandrashekhar, president of the association, said justice Rao was protecting corrupt officials in the institution. His family members were also allegedly involved in corrupt practices. Therefore, justice Rao should resign immediately, he said.
The protesters submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.
Court boycotted
Chamarajanagar Correspondent reports:
Members of the Chamarajanagar Bar Association on Wednesday boycotted the court proceedings and took out a rally, demanding immediate resignation of Karnataka Lokayukta Y. Bhaskara Rao for allegedly protecting his son Ashwin Y., and a relative Krishna Rao, besides a senior employee of Lokayukta Syed Riaz, who had been charged with blackmailing and extorting money from government officials, suspected to be corrupt and on the verge of their retirement.
The rally, which began from the Bar Association, passed through the main streets here and culminated on the premises of the district office complex. Later, the advocates submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner. They demanded that a criminal case be registered against Mr. Rao.
Meanwhile, members of various pro-Kannada organisations, under the aegis of Zilla Kannada Sanghatanegala Okkoota, staged a separate protest on similar grounds.
