Lokayukta quits over land row

BANGALORE: Lokayukta Justice Shivaraj V Patil resigned from his post just one month and 14 days since he took charge following  allegations of owning housing sites in violation of rules.In a 10-minute press meet at his office after submitting his resignation to Governor H R Bhardwaj, he told reporters, “This malicious campaign has deeply hurt and pained me. In this uncongenial atmosphere, I have deemed it appropriate to submit my resignation. However, my only discomforting thought is, am I giving up this office yielding to the malicious campaign of a few and letting down the hopes of many who had reposed their faith in me?”Patil faced allegations of violating rules by securing the allotment of a 9,600 sq ft site at the Judicial Employees Layout in 1994 and  his wife a 4,200 sq ft site at Nagawara from the Vyalikaval Housing Cooperative Society. His wife had surrendered the site on  September 14 after the issue had surfaced. He had defended his action saying that his wife Annapoorna had purchased the site through “outright sale” and that she was not an allottee as member of the society. “I did not aspire or ask for the position of Karnataka Lokayukta. When offered, I accepted it as an opportunity to serve the people of the state with commitment and concern,” he said.He cited his visit to Gulbarga, Bidar, Yadgir and Raichur last week, and the enthusiasm and support he received from the people. “I request all concerned to honestly reflect and decide whether they want to fight against corruption or malign people who take up the fight against the corrupt. I would like to caution the media that persons who have spent their lifetime with integrity and built a  reputation cannot take such a malicious campaign without deep hurt,” he said.