Justice Y Bhaskar Rao had proceeded on leave in July following demands for his resignation.
Karnataka's anti-corruption ombudsman or Lokayukta, Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao, has resigned.
Justice Rao resigned on Monday, Raj Bhavan sources said today adding that the governor has accepted his resignation "with immediate effect."
For months, there had been a clamour for his resignation over allegations that an extortion racket was being run from his office.
Justice Rao's son Ashwin was arrested in July this year for alleged involvement in extortion and corruption using information gained from the Lokayukta's office. It was alleged that Ashwin Rao had demanded bribes to stop raids by Lokayukta officials.
The arrest had triggered demands from Justice Rao's resignation from several quarters, including former Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde and the opposition. After the protests, Justice Rao went on leave in the last week of July but held on to the post. His leave would have ended on December 17.
The state government had earlier this year brought in amendments to the Lokayukta Act to make removing the ombudsman easier, after the scandal broke out. Under the amended law, which was passed in July, the removal of the Lokayukta can be initiated if one-third of the legislators in either house sign a motion and present it to the head of the house. It also says the Lokayukta will be precluded from discharge of his duties once the motion is moved.
Last month, the opposition had petitioned the Karnataka assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa, formally initiating the procedure for Justice Rao's removal.