Don't teach me the law, Justice Hegde tells K'taka govt

Former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santhosh Hegde on Friday hit back at the state government remarks about his report on illegal mining, stating that it was unfair of them to say that he had no knowledge of the law.

The government had stated that the Lokayukta had not given the persons named in the report an opportunity to present their case before he named them and recommended action against them.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, in which he reacted to the government's decision to seek some clarifications regarding his report on illegal mining, Justice Hegde said the provisions of the law had been followed while preparing the report.

"It is not right on part of the government to say that I am or was not aware of the law when the report had been prepared. Under the powers bestowed in the Lokayukta Act there is a provision to recommend action. I have done just that."

"However, it is the discretion of the government whether to act upon it or not. Regarding the clarification that I had not given an opportunity to any of the persons named in the report, all I can say is that the provisions have been followed as have been mentioned in the Karnataka Lokayukta Act."

This move by the state cabinet was being questioned, as it was largely believed that Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda was planning to do away with the report in order to return the favour to B S Yeddyurappa, who lost his chair due to the report.

However, the Gowda clarified that he was acting based on a legal opinion and not at his own will.