Justice Gururajan resigns as Karnataka’s lokayukta

Just weeks following justice Shivaraj V Patil putting in his papers as Karnataka's lokayukta, justice R Gururajan, one of his two deputies, followed suit yesterday citing health reasons. He had assumed charge as Upa Lokayukta on 27 June as the second upa lokayukta to assist Patil.

The choice was made by the chief minister at the time, B S Yeddyurappa, in consultation with opposition leaders. Justice Gururajan was in race along with justice A M Farooq and justice Chandrashekaraiah for the upa lokayukta post.

After tendering his resignation, Gururajan said in a release to the media, "I assumed the office of upa lokayukta, and I did draw a programme to help the needy and rural poor. The media encouraged and supported me. Unfortunately, there are sudden developments in my family circles. We have some health problems, and in these circumstances, in consultation with my family members and well-wishers, I have resigned."

According to media reports Gururajan owned more than one immovable property in Bangalore. Based on  the information he had posted on the Karnataka lokayukta website, he was in possession of a 42x60 site in Judicial Layout, which he had bought in 2001. He spent Rs23 lakh on the land and construction of the building.

The judge also owns two apartments, including the Chitrapura Society apartment in Malleswaram where he resides.

Defending this, Gururajan had said he lived in an aparment and the land belonged to the Chitrapura Housing Co-operative Society. He said he had share certificates and the arrangement was like the tenant-membership system which was common in Mumbai.