File photo of the Karnataka Lokayukta, Justice Bhaskar Rao
The Karnataka police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the son of state's anti-graft watchdog, the Lokayukta, for allegedly seeking bribe for avoiding a raid.
The Karnataka Lokayukta, Justice Bhaskar Rao's son, Ashwin was booked after a written complaint was finally received from the man who had alleged that on May 5, he had been asked for Rs one crore bribe on the Lokayukta premises to avoid a raid being conducted on his premises.
The FIR was filed this afternoon, just before the High Court issued a stay on an internal investigation which was to be headed by Superintendent of Police, Sonia Narang. The allegation of corruption was first brought to notice by Ms Narang who had forwarded it in a letter to the registrar.
Earlier in the day, lawyers held a protest outside the Karnataka Lokayukta's office in Bengaluru, demanding the resignation of Justice Rao in the wake of corruption charges.
Yesterday, Justice Rao had said the question of his resigning "does not arise" and denied the involvement of any of his family in corruption. But he had also promised action against the guilty, "whoever it is, including my son".
"He (Lokayukta) asked us to wait for a week. The Special Investigation Team is not a solution, we want a CBI inquiry. All his properties should be confiscated," senior advocate Subba Reddy, who was part of the delegation, told NDTV.
Home Minister KJ George said that the matter could be investigated by a Special Investigation Team.
Justice Rao's deputy, the Upalokayukta, Justice Subhash Adi, had initially ordered an internal probe when the allegation had surfaced.