Pramesh S Jain
After the arrest of Ningappa Sawant a fortnight ago,the Karnataka Lokayukta mentioned Former Bengaluru Lokayukta SP, Joshi Sreenath Mahadev,as co-accused and written to the chief Secretary to take action against as per the the All India Services (Conduct) Rules.
Preliminary findings established the link of the accused IPS officer,Joshi,which according to the Lokayukta is violations of service rules.The Lokayukta has also asked the government to submit the action taken report .
According to an official release,even though there were no complaints,the Lokayukta based on the information taken up a case and registered an FIR against the accused under PC act .
Probe revealed that Ningappa who has a close proximity with the Joshi,used to target government officials posing as Lokayukta officer and extort money threatening to foist cases against them.
Investigations revealed Ningappa sent intimidating WhatsApp messages to officials,allegedly demanding bribes using the codeword “KG“,and probe found that the accused had opened 24 crypto wallets to investments in cryptocurrency to convert the black money into white .
Analysis of the accused mobile also revealed that 13 out of 24 crypto wallets,found to have transactions amounting to over Rs.4.92 crore.
The Lokayukta also announced that it has set up an “Internal Monitoring wing ”to keep a check on erring officials.It also asked the government to appoint further judicial and other officers.
Earlier Lokayukta officials submitted a proposal to set up such wing using the officials transferred from Anti Corruption Bureau,to monitor internal irregularities,but the proposal has ben turned down by the government .
However with Lokayukta having over 1900 staff and considering increasing number of complaints and cases especially against the police officials followed by raids and traps,it has become necessary to have internal monitoring cell for a free and fair probe.
Hence the Lokayukta has set up a the unit temporarily and has asked the government to sanction a judicial officials and required staff to head the probe .
Taking a serious note on the extortion cases through impersonators,the Lokayukta said that as many as 41 FIRs were registered across the state .
Lokayukta as an institute working hard to contain corruption and some impersonators misusing the name of Lokayukta trying to defame and extort money from the government officials .
People who get such calls or messages can approach Lokayukta directly or call 080 – 22011205 – kla-citysp-ka@nic.in ;080 – 22011273 – kla.citysp2-ka@nic.in .
