Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Sep 21: The state high court (HC), which heard the application moved by former Lokayukta, justice Y Bhaskar Rao, questioning his being named as an accused and service on summons on him, questioned as to how can a judge who takes part in illegal activities and allows illegal activities under his nose seek protection under Judges Protection Act. The observation came during the period the single judge bench headed by justice Anand Byrareddy heard for sometime arguments placed on behalf of the former Lokakyukta on Tuesday September 20.
The bench commented that the retired judge can present himself before the lower court and seek exemption there. It also said that it is upto the lower court to either grant exemption.
Although counsel for the former Lokayukta repeatedly sought exemption for the former Lokayukta from appearance in the court on September 23 as per summons served on him, the bench refused to uphold the same. At the end, it served notice on senior advocate, C H Jadhav, who has been appointed to represent special investigation team, before adjourning hearing to Wednesday.
During his arguments, senior advocate, S M Chandrashekhar, pleaded with the bench to extend protection to his client under Judges Protection Act. The bench then observed that Bhaskar Rao is a retired judge and hence there is no need to protect him. It also orally said that preliminary investigation has established that Rao had helped his son to indulge in illegal activities, and that the court cannot extend help to the Lokayukta who allowed illegal things to happen in his office.
When the advocate sought exemption on the basis of age, the bench observed that he is just 77, and asked him to apply to the court for exemption on the basis of health.
Bhaskar Rao, against whom legal action has been permitted by the state governor, has been named as seventh accused in the supplementary charge sheet filed by special investigating team. The court had served summons asking Rao to appear before it on September 23.