Fed up with corruption, Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde resigns

Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde, known for his crusade against corruption and the mining lobby, today made a sudden decision to resign from his post and criticised the BJP government for its "indifference to Lokayukta institution".

Announcing his decision at a crowded press conference soon after submitting his resignation letter to governor HR Bhardwaj, the former Supreme Court judge said, "I have, as you all knew, tendered my resignation from the post of Lokayukta to the governor with effect from August 31, 2010.

"I have no regrets over quitting my office. I am not in the habit of using resignation as a blackmail. My decision is final."I don't want to be useless sitting in a position. It is not enough if I catch people. I need powers to bring cases to logical conclusion," he said.

The resignation by Hegde after remaining in office for four years comes at a time when the first-ever BJP government in the south is gearing up to celebrate in a grand style its completion of two years in office on June 25.

Hitting out at the government for the manner in which the decision of Lokayukta and its requests were "overlooked", Hegde fumed saying "Staying in an institution when I am only an angry face of the institution, but the government cares two hoots about it, is no heroic deal."

Hegde denied that he was resigning because of a news report telecast by a Kannada TV channel that it was due to a contempt notice against him.

"I have not received any contempt notice. The news telecast by the channel is far from truth. I can file a defamation suit against it. It is an option which I will decide," he said.

Hegde, who had launched a crusade against corruption and his report over illegal mining activity in the state virtually put the government on a spot said "I have not targetted any lobby. I have only targetted illegal mining."

Continuing to take a swipe at the government, he vented his ire over a Cabinet minister for writing to the Chief Secretary recommending for the suspension of an official of the Lokayukta.

"I feel helpless and useless as of today. I am sitting in a chair, when I can't protect an officer, who in one manner has been obeying me and my colleagues to do a job which he did perfectly," he said.

Hedge said he could have continued in the post enjoying the perks like car with red beacon but he was only following his father's advice that "don't stay in a place where you are made to feel you are unwanted".

Hegde described his decision to quit as a "cumulative effect" over a series of reasons ranging from the government not heeding to his plea for filling up of 'Upa Lokayukta' post to the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa 'reneging' on his assurance that officers suspended on Lokayukta's recommendation would not be reinstated.

The government did not consult him while re-instating such officials, he said.

Hegde also came down heavily on the inaction by government over Lokayukta report on illegal mining, that he submitted during December and added "I will be submitting one more before demitting office".

The last straw, however, came when a minister had recommended suspension of one of his 'honest' officers and a recent episode where a BBMP official whose suspension had been revoked and he was reinstated in the same post, Hegde said.

Reinstating the suspended official was akin to "a slap on the face of the Lokayukta", he said citing such instances had repeatedly occurred despite objections by the Lokayukta.

The officer said he had met Yeddyurappa and made three recommendations. The latter had directed the Chief Secretary to implement them. The recommendations included granting additional allowances to the Lokayukta police on the lines followed in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa and not revoking the
suspension orders without consulting the Lokayukta.

"However, the government has ignored, deliberately overlooked and sort of showed indifference to the functioning of the institution," said Hegde whose five-year term of office was supposed to have come to an end in August next year.

He said he had chosen to follow the advice of his late father and former Lok Sabha speaker KS Hegde that when one was not wanted, it was better to quit, though his colleagues and well wishers had advised him to stay and work on.

He said the reason why he was not quitting from tomorrow is owing to some "unfinished work" including submitting a report in a case of a girl dying in a wall collapse recently in the city.