Decision follows charges of flouting cooperative housing society laws.
Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Shivaraj Virupanna Patil resigned from his post here today over charges of violating co-operative housing society laws, to own two residential sites in Bangalore city. Patil, who took charge as the Lokayukta on August 3, is the first ombudsman to leave office without completing the term.
Patil submitted his resignation to Governor H R Bhardwaj this evening following reports that he had committed a misdemeanor in owning extra plots in the city. The site was bought by his wife. It was surrendered to the housing cooperative society a few days ago.
Addressing a hurriedly-called press conference this evening, Justice Patil denied any wrongdoing in buying a 4,012 sq ft plot in his wife Annapurna’s name from the Vyalikaval House Building Cooperative Society (VBHCS) near Nagavara on the outskirts of Bangalore city in 2006. “A malicious campaign has been carried out during the past few days against me. I wish to clarify for people to know and judge for themselves on the issue of the allotment and holding of sites by my wife and myself,” he said.
Patil had bought the plot though he owned a house in Bangalore and was also allotted a plot in 1994, a 9,600 sq ft site from the Karnataka Judicial Department Employees’ House Building Cooperative Society.
According to the cooperative housing society rules, people who own a plot or a house in a city are not eligible for a plot from a housing society as the plots are sold at prices much below the market price for members of the society.
Patil’s contention was that his wife was not allotted a plot by the Vyalikaval society and it was bought at an auction.
“It is necessary to note that my wife did not file any affidavit making any false declaration at any point. Hence, there has never been any misrepresentation. Sale being on outright basis, there was absolutely no restriction for the purchase. All the purchases have been through legitimate funds generated and that have been accounted for,” said Patil.
He said, after assuming the office of the Lokayukta he had declared his assets including the said transaction. “Despite having no justification the issue was sought to be raised in this regard, taking into account the position I held, to avoid a public debate, which would detract from my functioning and my moral authority to deal with men and matter, I asked my wife to surrender the site forthwith, without getting into the legality of it.”
“This malicious campaign has deeply hurt and pained me. In this uncongenial atmosphere I have deemed it appropriate to submit my resignation. However, my only discomforting thought is, am I giving up this office yielding to the malicious campaign of a few and letting down the hopes of many who had reposed their faith in me?” he added.
