Forgive me for I’ve erred, Lokayukta tells people

A day after apologising to governor HR Bhardwaj for not informing him about his decision to withdraw his resignation before making it public, Lokayukta justice N Santosh Hegde sought forgiveness from the people of Karnataka on Monday for his statement that he had relented to respect the request of BJP patriarch LK Advani.

Seeking to put an end to bitter reactions that his statement has generated, justice Hegde said, “I have committed a mistake and have realised it. I seek forgiveness of the people for this.

I decided to withdraw my resignation bowing to appeals and affection of the people of Karnataka, innumerable institutions and dignitaries. It was not on LK Advani’s appeal alone.”

Justice Hedge also said that he would meet governor HR  Bhardwaj on Wednesday to withdraw his resignation. “But before that I will seek his apology too for not informing him before I announced my decision to withdraw the resignation.

It was my duty to inform him before going to the media. I will explain the circumstances under which I was forced to announce the decision to withdraw the resignation without informing him.”

Environment and sports minister Krishna Palemar, the man at the centre of controversy of illegal iron ore seizure scam at Belekeri port, too sought to clear his name on Monday by calling on justice Hegde. 

“I met justice Hegde to explain that I wrote a letter to the chief secretary to suspend Karwar deputy conservator of forests, Gokul, on disciplinary grounds for not attending a meeting I convened. It was not a punitive action for detecting the illegal transportation of ore. I will extend full co-operation for the Lokayukta probe  and my visit to Belekeri port and suspension of port officials are a proof of my commitment to end the illegal iron ore export,” Palemar said.

JD(S) state president HD Kumaraswamy also met justice Hegde and urged him to continue his battle against corruption with more aggression. Kumaraswamy had earlier criticised the Lokayukta's comment attributing his decision to withdraw his resignation to Advani’s request.

On Monday, the Lokayukta police seized 400 tonnes of iron ore being transported illegally at Madakaripura in Chitradurga district.