Direct govt to abolish ACB, BJP leaders ask Governor

 Leaders of the Opposition party in the State Legislature, Jagadish Shettar and K S Eshwarappa, on Saturday, urged Governor Vajubhai Vala to direct the government to immediately abolish the controversial Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

In a memorandum submitted to the Governor at Raj Bhavan, the BJP leaders explained in detail adverse consequences of the constitution of ACB and how the institution of Karnataka Lokayukta has been rendered ineffective. The ACB is a puppet in the hands of the government. It can be used as tool by the party in power to target political opponents by booking false cases, the leaders warned.

The government has handed over all cases of corruption that was before the Lokayukta to the ACB. This has been done to protect public servants and the ministers against whom cases were pending. “Further, the ACB brings the entire investigation under the control of the government itself and it becomes a judge in its own case,” they stated.

The government has justified the constitution of the ACB citing a Supreme Court order. The apex court has never given any order to take away the powers of Lokayukta. It had actually directed the government to take measures to strengthen the Lokayukta. The government has, therefore, violated the Supreme Court order by establishing the ACB, the leaders complained. “The government has created a sort of constitutional crisis. It will be interfering in proper and effective administration of justice in which society has a stake. We request you to direct the government to take immediate action to abolish it,” they stated.