Bangalore:
The BJP government in Karnataka has decided to send back the Santosh Hegde report on illegal mining to the state Lokayukta, seeking clarifications, days before it was to have given an action-taken report.
Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda wants to know why those named in the Hegde report were not given a chance to defend themselves.
He also wants to know if the Lokayukta can recommend the removal of a legislator or a minister or recommend action against non-officials in absence of a complaint.
The Santosh Hegde report, which runs into thousands of pages, had cost the BJP's BS Yeddyurappa the Chief Minister's chair in July this year. Mr Yeddyurappa, several of his ministers, including mining barons the Reddy brothers, and leaders of other political parties have been severely indicted in the report.
Mr Gowda's move is being seen as his way of returning his mentor Mr Yeddyurappa's favour for making him the Chief Minister when he had to reluctantly step down.
But the CM says he has taken legal opinion from constitutional experts and will proceed very carefully in the matter. "You may say as a politician my decision is politically motivated. But to be very frank, the issues raised by me while returning the Lokayukta report does not mean denial or rejection of the report. It only means certain clarification is required."
Santosh Hegde was the Lokayukta of Karnataka when he submitted the report. His term has since ended. The post is vacant right now.