Bengaluru: “The State Government cannot order a CBI probe on the corruption charges against the Lokayukta, as it does not have the power to do so”, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday July 12.
With the rampant demand of the opposition to order a CBI probe in the matter, Siddaramaiah question, “Under which provision of the Lokayukta Act can the State Government order a CBI inquiry? Let the opposition show me and I will order it, he said ironically.
Siddaramaiah further said that the State Government had very limited role to play in the matter and had ordered a probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) as the Lokayukta had sought such a probe. “If the Lokayukta writes to us asking for a CBI probe, we will give it to CBI. The State Government has no suo moto powers to order a CBI probe in the matter,” he added.
The office of the Lokayukta is an independent autonomous body and the question of Lokayukta’s resignation from office was entirely left to his own discretion. “What right does the Government have to ask him to resign? Siddaramaiah asked.
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