Lokayukta given free hand in corruption case against BJP MLA's son

Tags: State News

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the government has given a free hand to the Lokayukta to deal with the corruption case against Prashant Madal, son of Channagiri BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa, and the law will take its own course.

An overview of the news

• The Lokayukta has seized over Rs 8 crore in cash from the residence and office of Channagiri BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa.

• Virupakshappa also served as the chairman of Karnataka Soap and Detergent Limited (KS&DL), a public sector undertaking (PSU).

• Apart from cash, documents of huge investment in land, gold and silver have also been found from the MLA's house.

• The amount was recovered after searches were conducted at Prashant's father's residence after he was caught taking a bribe of Rs 41 lakh in his office.

• The state government has re-established the Lokayukta (the anti-corruption bureau that handled such cases during the previous Congress government) to crack down on corruption.

What is the Lokayukta?

• As per section 63 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, every state shall establish a body to be known as the Lokayukta for the state.

• The central law Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 mandates the appointment of a Lokayukta in each state.

• It inquires into allegations of corruption and maladministration against public servants.

• It works for speedy redressal of public grievances.

Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013

• It provided for the establishment of Lokpal for the Union and Lokayukta for States.

• The Chairperson of the Lokpal should be either a former Chief Justice of India or a former Judge of the Supreme Court or a person of eminence of eminence.

• Half of the eight maximum members should be judicial members and at least 50 percent of the members should be from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities and Women categories.

• When the 2013 Act was passed, Lokayuktas were already functioning in some states including Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.

• After the Act and the intervention of the Supreme Court, most of the states have now established Lokayuktas.