A motion seeking removal of controversial Karnataka Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao over an alleged extortion racket in the anti-graft ombudsman's office involving his son was admitted in the Assembly today.
Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa admitted the motion moved by Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar (BJP) and JD(S) leader Y S V Datta.
Ruling Congress has announced its "complete" support to the motion which came up before the House nearly two weeks after the ball was set rolling for removal of Rao, with Opposition parties petitioning the Speaker and the Legislative Council Chairman in this regard.
After admitting the motion, Thimmappa said ,he along with the Council Chairman, will prepare a draft and will consult the members before forwarding it to Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court for inquiry into the charges.
Rao, who has been refusing to budge despite calls for his resignation, is on a long leave since July last after his son Ashwin Rao was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the case.
According to the Lokayukta Act, recently amended to simplify rules for removal of the anti-graft ombudsman, on admission of the motion, the presiding officers shall refer the matter to the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court for investigation into grounds over which the removal is sought.
If the charges against the Lokayukta were proved by the inquiry, it is then taken up for consideration and adoption of the motion and sent to the Governor for assent.
The investigation for proof of misbehaviour or incapacity of Lokayukta has to be done as provided in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, by a three-member committee, comprising two judges and a jurist.
The scandal surfaced after Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Sonia Narang wrote a letter to the Registrar of Karnataka Lokayukta about the complaint she received from a person who alleged that someone from the Lokayukta office demanded Rs 1 crore in bribe to avoid a raid.
