Bengaluru: Karnataka’s anti-corruption ombudsman or Lokayukta, Justice Y Bhaskar Rao, has resigned and the much-awaited resignation was accepted by Governor Vajubhai Vala “with immediate effect”, on Tuesday.

Over the last several months, the opposition and the ruling party members have been demanding ousting of the Lokayukta after Rao faced allegations of an extortion racket that was allegedly 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.

When demands for ousting of Lokayukta intensified from various quarters, 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.

Last month, the opposition had petitioned the Karnataka assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa, formally initiating the procedure for Justice Rao’s removal.