Dhananjaya tried to influence me: Justice Hegde

Dhananjaya tried to influence me: Justice Hegde

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 16, 2011: Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde on Saturday said BJP spokesperson Dhananjaya Kumar had tried to influence him against indicting Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa in his yet to be released mining report.

 

Hegde told reporters that a few months ago Kumar along with Higher Education minister V S Acharya and A G Kodagi, chairman of the State’s Third Finance Commission Recommendations Implementation Task Force, made a courtesy call to his residence.

“While Acharya and Kodagi were reminiscing about the past, Kumar, during the course of the conversation, requested me to ensure that Yeddurappa is not indicted in the mining report. I told him not to talk to me like that. I cannot think of committing such an injustice.

The report is purely based on documents and evidences,” said Hegde.

The Lokyukta said following this meeting, one of Yeddyurappa’s Cabinet ministers approached him and told him that Kumar had been going around the corridors of power saying that “Hegde has been fixed - the report will not be submitted.”

“Immediately I called Kumar and asked him about these rumours. He tried to downplay it and sidetrack me, but I told him that meeting them that day was a big mistake. I also warned him not to call me, meet me or come to my office.”

Hegde said that in another instance, when he was in New Delhi to receive the NDTV award, Kumar had brought along Yeddyurappa, who was also in the capital at that point in time.

“I was staying at Karnataka Bhavan. Kumar came with the Chief Minister unannounced to greet me with a bouquet. It’s very clear that his intention that day was also the same,” added Hegde.

 

Courtesy: Deccan Herald