Times of India: Bengaluru: Sunday, June 28, 2015.
Amid reports
of corruption within the Lokayukta, it has been found that an extortion racket
is run within the institution. To make money, insiders allegedly use RTI
queries and complaints filed against government officers, a source informed
STOI.
With help
from persons within the anti-corruption watchdog, some private individuals
source RTI applications filed to seek information against government officers.
These officers are then threatened with Lokayukta cases if they don't pay up.
Terming it
one of the most "ugliest" phases within the Lokayukta, a source said
the racket is said to have been in operation for at least one year. The
"ring leaders" randomly select government officers to extort money.
Here's how it
works: Calls are made to a government official suggesting he would be in the
dock if a Lokayukta case is registered against him. Next comes the extortion
demand - either face-to-face or over the phone. The officer is asked to pay a
percentage of the cost of the project which he is executing. For example, if an
RTI application seeks information on a Rs 20-lakh project taken up by the
officer, then the "cut" demanded would be a percentage of Rs 20 lakh.
The money
demanded varies from case to case, from officer to officer.
The source
said the extortion ring has "hired" people to apply for RTI
information or file cases against a high- ranking officers, and then use the
information to seek bribes.
Lokayukta
police, who traced the phone numbers of the ring leaders, found they were
registered under fake IDs. In one case, a number used for extortion pointed to
an address in Kalaburagi. The high-ranking Lokayukta officer who allegedly
helped individuals to source and use these RTI applications was summoned by his
higher-ups and questioned about his alleged involvement.
Lokayukta
police were in hot pursuit of Krishna Rao, the ring leader of the racket, when
the case was transferred to the Central Crime Branch (CCB).
It is said
the police wing is close to confirming the identity of Ashwin Rao, who is
reported to be the son of Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao.
No written
complaint filed
According to
Lokayukta police, there has been no written complaint against any person within
the Lokayukta over bribery charges. Sources say that even if the CCB
investigates the matter, then it will have to proceed independently to prove
the charges.
No CCTV,
probe fumbles
The Lokayukta
office, which is reported to have witnessed a blatant demand for a bribe from a
high-ranking officer, does not have CCTV. Top Lokayukta police officers say
this has left investigators in the dark over the officer who demanded money.
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