Karnataka government today clarified that no powers of Karnataka Lokayukta will be curtailed with the creation of a separate Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), even as opposition demanded its immediate withdrawal.
Alleging that government was 'destabilising' Lokayukta by creating ACB, BJP and JD(S) in the legislative assembly accused the government of trying to protect the corrupt andpossibly using it as a tool for vendetta politics.
Not convinced by the government's response opposition members entered the well of the house protesting against the creation of ACB, and demanded its immediate withdrawal after which Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa adjourned the House till tomorrow morning.
During the debate on the issue, the House also witnessed an incident where a man seated at the visitors' gallery on the balcony of the assembly hall shouted slogans against the government for creating ACB. He was immediately whisked away by the security staff.
Replying to the discussion on the issue, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said with the creation of the ACB no powers of Lokayukta or Upa-Lokayukta will be curtailed.
He said "police officials working in Lokayukta were given powers to investigate under Prevention of Corruption Act by issuing a notification in 1991. It has now been withdrawn and given to ACB."
"This move by the government will in no way affect the functioning of Lokayukta officials as Lokayukta under 15(3) of the act can utilise the services of the ACB."
Responding to allegations made by the opposition that Chief Minister will take control over the ACB, Jayachandra said "it is an independent body."
The Minister clarified that the Vigilance Advisory Board will only have overall administrative and advisory powers and it can in no way intervene into the investigations of the ACB.
A Vigilance Advisory Board has been created by the government to guide and supervise the vigilance mechanism of the government and to guide and administratively supervise the functioning of the Vigilance officers and the ACB, government had said.
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Jayachandra, responding to questions raised by the
opposition about taking prior permission before investigating cases under ACB, said, "This does not mean that the restriction is applicable to all cases investigated by ACB. There is no requirement to take prior permission while investigating into corruption, illegal assets and trap cases."
Opposition leader Jagadish Shettar, expressing disappointment, alleged that government was taking "political control" over anti-corruption bodies.
"ACB is to close all cases against Chief Minister, his Ministers, supporters and officials. It will be used as tool to control political infighting and dissidence within the ruling party, ahead of cabinet expansion," he said.
This led to a war of words between him and Chief Minister Siddarmaiah.
Siddarmaiah, questioning the integrity of BJP, asked as to why ACBs have been created in several BJP-ruled states.
BJP members then entered the well of the House demanding withdrawal of ACB. They were followed by JD(S) members.
The Speaker then adjourned the House.
