Speaker challenges Lokayukta rights

Tainted MLA Sampangi's case has taken a new twist with the Karnataka legislative assembly speaker Y Jagadish Shetter proposing a new legislation asking Lokayukta to seek his permission before conducting raid on any member of legislative assembly or council.

The direction was issued on Saturday in the assembly session while the debate on suspending Sampangi was being discussed. According to Shetter, the Lokayukta officials cannot arrest members of the assembly while participating in session or while they were inside the VIdhana Sabha premises.
He added that the Lokayukta can arrest members if they are out of the Vidhana Soudha premises.

He further said that the Legislators House where Sampangi was arrested will be included in the jurisdiction of the Vidhana Soudha.

Shetter further set up a special committee to investigate Sampagi's case and submit a report within a month to enable the speaker to take suitable decision on his dismissal. This decision means that Samamgi will not be dismissed from his post.