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defanging the LokAyukta
Written By murali772 - 14 November, 2011
Bangalore governance law and order Corruption Media Reports Lokayukta
Chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Sunday blamed former PM H D Deve Gowda for the transfer of Lokayukta ADGP Jeevan Kumar Gaonkar, prompting the latter to dismiss it as ‘‘utter nonsense’’. ‘‘It is said that his (Gaonkar’s) transfer is politically motivated and done immediately after the release of former CM B S Yeddyurappa to protect the corrupt. Efforts are on to blame me. But the fact is that Gaonkar had written to the chief secretary stating that the former PM had telephoned him,’’ Sadananda Gowda said. ‘‘This had put him (Gaonkar) in an embarrassing situation. It had become difficult for him to investigate pending matters,’’ he added.
For the full report in the ToI, click here.
Now, how is the former PM (who hardly deserved that status in the first place) calling up Mr Gaonkar (which Mr Gowda had no business to), supposed to cause Mr Gaonkar, an IPS officer of the rank of an ADGP, any embarrassment? Who is Mr Gowda trying to fool? Very clearly, he is showing himself up to be his mentor (BSY)'s stooge, as has been the talk all the while. Neither is it doing the BJP any good, nor the state.
The report further adds:
Sadananda Gowda has defended the appointment of IPS officers M V Satyanarayana Rao as ADGP and J Arun Chakravarthi as DIG of Lokayukta. The high court had rapped Rao for not executing summons to former minister G Janardhana Reddy when he was IGP. Chakravarthi, as Shimoga SP, had allegedly not taken cognizance of a bereaved man's complaint that his daughter might have been murdered by her husband. Referring to Rao, the CM said: "I have taken the advocate-general’s opinion and he said Rao hasn't committed any mistake. So, we appointed him. Chakravarthi has been posted to the Lokayukta as the DIG post was vacant.''
Not at all convincing. With so many big names from the BSY cabinet facing serious charges, the intent appears very clear, particularly with Mr Ashoka, who is also on the list, continuing to head the Home ministry, which obviously decides on the postings. As such, there can't be many takers for Mr Gowda's comment cited below, in the extracts from the same report.
On the recent mass transfer of police officials in the state, the CM said it had been done by the Police Establishment Board taking into account the vacancies, promotions and the Lokayukta report. 'There is no politics in this', he added.
One wonders if he can access the minutes of the Police Establishment Board meetings to check the above out.
Notwithstanding the comments made by IPS officer and former Lokayukta SP, Mr Madhukar Shetty, that there were black sheep in the watchdog too, the Karnataka LokAyukta, under Justice Santosh Hegde, had, for the first time in the history of the state, managed to bring in a semblence of accountability in the governance. Yes, a lot more needs to be done. But, the Gowda government seems headed towards defanging the entire set up, further corroborated by the state BJP president, Mr K S Eshwarappa's remarks suggesting closing down of the establishment itself, cited in the report.
Muralidhar Rao
COMMENTS
murali772 - 14 November, 2011 - 10:20
The abrupt transfer of additional DGP Jeevan Kumar V Gaonkar from the Karnataka Lokayukta has angered governor H R Bhardwaj. Speaking after the fifth convocation of Tumkur University, Bhardwaj took exception to the state government’s decision to transfer Gaonkar when he was investigating allegations against politicians. “The transfer of good officers will send a wrong message,” he said. The government had, in the past, transferred DIG Pronab Mohanty, who was “one of the best officers in Karnataka”, he said. “I am watching all these developments.’’ The governor came down heavily on the Sadananda Gowda government for delaying the appointment of a Lokayukta. “The government should act responsibly and take care not to politicize the Lokayukta’s appointment. They should appoint a person with an impeccable track record.”
For the full report in the ToI, click here.
Well said, Sir.
tvidya - 14 November, 2011 - 12:26
When a Minister tried to influence/ pleading innocent to Justice Santosh Hegde at his house, was shown the door by Justice Hegde . DeveGowda could not have dared to call any Officer during Hegde's time. It is obvious that Lokayukta is getting diluted. Mr Gaonkar, an IPS officer of the rank of an ADGP,appears to have written to Govt about the threat by Deve Gowda and hence he is transferred. It looks like a fairy tale. How can ADGP be so coward seeking transfer for a silly call from DeveGowda appeared threatening to ADGP? Could it have happened during Justice Hegdes regime? Now it is time for enlightened Citizens to protest the dilution of Lokayukta . Yes it is not feasible to go on dharna, march past etc too often . But frequent press releases from Institutions like IAC may strengthen the enlightened media. Only Governor is doing the work of opposition as most oppositions are part of the sin group. T.Vidyadhar
adeep369 - 15 November, 2011 - 20:25
I have the utmost respect for Mr.Hegde for the commendable work he has done during his tenure as Lokayukta.Lets just get our facts right before playing the blame game.As a responsible citizen i feel the media has lost all credibility & just reports & prints rubbish!!
Firstly how many of us have read Mr.Hegde's report on illegal mining? None.As it is reliably learnt, his report does contain a lot many mistakes which not many of us know of.
Secondly its definately the government's mistake to have transferred Mr.Gaonkar abruptly.
Mr.Rao who has taken over as the new ADGP is supposed to be an officer of impeccable integrity.The fact that is coming up in the media that he was pulled up by a court for not having enforced the serving of warrants on Janardhan Reddy is true.But as it was later clarified by the court itself it really is not the job of IPS officer of the rank of IGP to see that warrants are served so much as the entire governments.It was supposed to be done by station level officers which is to be overseen by the district Superintendent of Police.That apart a fact that a very few of us know is that Mr.Rao has worked in the CBI & handled very high profile cases exceptionally well.He very seriously implicated union ministers to the likes of Jaffer Sharrief, Veerappa Moily & ex-CM Bangarappa.So I personally feel his posting into the Lokayukta can only mean big trouble for Yeddurappa & gang.
If anything i feel the state government has dug its own grave by posting him into an institution like Lokayukta unknowingly!
Does Jan Lokpal bill address the problem?
psaram42 - 14 November, 2011 - 08:03
If it did CMs like Sadananda Gouda can be put in check. The three arms of civic triangle viz Law Makeing, enforcement and punishment arms of the civic triangle should be independent. Law makers should stick to only law making. My point is that law makers should not be contoling the appointment of the watch dog. Independent Judiciary should.
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