B. Sriramulu

BANGALORE: Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde has initiated contempt proceedings against Minister for Tourism and Textiles B. Sriramulu for making a derogatory statement in Bellary. Mr. Sriramulu has been asked to appear before the Lokayukta on May 3 at 11 a.m.

Mr. Hegde took the action following a statement made by the Minister to a private television channel while the Bellary district administration was clearing some encroachments on the orders of the Lokayukta.

L. Anwar Basha filed a complaint in 2004 with the Lokayukta alleging that the Deputy Commissioner had not taken any steps to clear the unauthorised occupants in the government land bearing Serial No. 563 situated on Anantapur Road.

Though the district administration took action in 2005, the illegal occupants resurfaced again. When this was brought to the notice of Mr. Hegde, he initiated an inquiry and found it to be true. Mr. Hegde wrote to Arvind Srivastava, Deputy Commissioner, in February seeking the reason as to why steps should not be taken against him for being negligent in protecting the government property. The Deputy Commissioner was asked to explain the hindrance, if any, caused in clearing the illegal occupants.

On March 17, the district administration went to clear the illegal occupants. "I came to know that Mr. Sriramulu interfered with the eviction process," Mr. Hegde said in his order on Wednesday. Mr. Hegde noted that Mr. Sriramulu had made certain derogatory and scandalous remarks against the Lokayukta. This was recorded by a private television and telecast on April 7.

" ... I am satisfied that the words used by the said B. Sriramulu, amount to criminal contempt ... and that it is of such a nature that it substantially interferes with the due course of law," Mr. Hegde noted.

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