Governor H.R. Bhardwaj made it clear on Wednesday that the government could not reject former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde’s report on illegal mining merely on advocate general (AG) B.V. Acharya’s advice.
Reacting strongly to the AG’s opinion that the Lokayukta report had no “legal backing’ for taking action against politicians and bureaucrats indicted by it, Mr Bhardwaj said he was not the government and could only give legal advice to it.
“Whatever justice Santosh Hegde has said about the AG’s observation is correct,” he said speaking to reporters after inaugurating Bangalore University’s “Civic Sense” campaign. While Dr Acharya has found fault with justice Hegde for not issuing show cause notices to those named in the report, the former Lokayukta has maintained that under section 7 (2-A) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, he is not required to do so, explaining that those who figure in the report will be given an opportunity to defend themselves when the time comes to implement it.
Mr Bhardwaj refused to comment on the appointment of a new Lokayukta, saying it was left to the chief minister and other selection committee members.
“But I will ensure there is no delay from my side. The moment I get the papers (of recommendation from the government), I will sign them,” Mr Bhardwaj assured.