Speaker abused power for gain, alleges advocate

TNN, Oct 31, 2010

BANGALORE: A city advocate filed a complaint with Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde seeking action against assembly speaker K G Bopaiah under Section 13 of the Lokayukta Act, 1984, for abuse of power to obtain wrongful gain and to cause loss to the public exchequer.

Ramesh Babu claimed that Bopaiah abused his office, both as deputy speaker and speaker of the assembly since August 2008 and claimed house rent allowance (HRA) of Rs 20,000 and maintenance allowance of Rs 5,000 though he resides free of cost in the VVIP accommodation in the Legislators' Home. He also has Room No 244 allotted to him as an MLA. He claimed salary, HRA and maintenance allowance, both as deputy speaker and speaker for November 2009 and HRA and maintenance allowance for December 2009.

These facts obtained through a Right to Information Act application shows that Bopaiah as a public servant has abused his office for wrongful gain, the complainant stated. Justice Hegde said he'll look into the matter.