Bengaluru:
The Karnataka state government has said a Special Investigative Team will probe the allegations of corruption within the office of the Lokayukta - the body that is meant to probe corruption in the state.
The SP deputed to the Lokayukta had forwarded a letter to the Lokayukta registrar, alleging that a bribe had been demanded inside the premises of the Lokayukta to avoid a raid. The name of Lokayukta Justice Bhaskar Rao's son had surfaced in this connection, leading to calls for his resignation.
But the Lokayukta says he will not resign.
"The question of resigning does not arise. The guilty will be punished, whoever it is, including my son," he said. But he also added that the allegations were "not true".
"We have referred this matter to the government to appoint a special investigating team. They will appoint and conduct investigation and find the truth," he said.
Home Minister KJ George said, the Lokayukta "has requested for special investigation team, so the chief minister has decided to appoint ADGP level officer to head the SIT."
In Belgaum, where the Karnataka legislature is in session, the chief minister confirmed that a Special Investigative Team will be formed to carry out the probe.
The Lokayukta is also facing a tussle internally.
On June 23, the Uplokayukta, Justice Subhash B Adi, had ordered an internal inquiry into the corruption issue headed by SP Sonia Narang, the woman who had set the ball rolling by forwarding the allegation of corruption to the registrar.
This investigation was stopped by the Lokayukta. But it was started once again by the Uplokayukta, who says his order was a judicial order that cannot be superseded.
Once the SIT has been set up, the internal inquiry could be halted - though senior sources within the Lokayukta's office say a CBI inquiry may be needed to really clear up the image of this body.