Taking a swipe at the institution of Lokayukta, Union law minister M. Veerappa Moily on Saturday observed that Lokayukta Justice N. Santhosh Hegde was acting superficially by making mere statements against corruption.
Speaking to reporters at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office here, Dr Moily asked, “What has he done so far apart from of making mere statements?” According to Dr Moily, Mr Hegde should have acted against every corrupt case with an iron hand. He observed that Justice Hegde took initiative in registering cases but then, suddenly gave up on many occasions. “I do not know why he does like this. He was a famous judge of the Supreme Court, who is also well-versed with various laws and knows very well how to tackle cases involving high-profile personalities,” he said.
Reacting to Dr Moily’s “derogatory” remarks against him, Mr Hegde said that it was “very unfortunate that a Central minister has made such a statement in an unprovoked situation on an authority on whom, he has no control. Let him point out which is that particular investigation which I took and stopped halfway.”
He said he could say a lot on the Administrative Reforms Commission but he didn’t want to “exceed the line of dignity”.