Illegal mining report on Wednesday: Lokayukta

Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde will submit his much-awaited report on illegal mining to the Government on Wednesday.

"Yes, I will submit the report on Wednesday," Hegde, a former Supreme Court judge and member of Jan Lokpal Bill Drafting Committee, told mediapersons in Bengaluru on Monday.

Lokayukta sources said much of the findings are already in the public domain as the report was leaked.

"I have really not given it a thought as to what the repercussions would be once the report is out. It is up to the government and the other agencies to look into it and act upon it," he said.

"However my biggest concern is that of the safety of my officers who have worked on this report. I have made a mention in the report that security be provided to them, since they have dealt with powerful lobbies and politicians while putting out this report," he added.

"I am also worried that some of these powerful persons may try and ruin their careers. This is why I am stressing that the report should not be taken in the negative sense. It is for the good of the entire state, and if acted upon, the state would benefit," he also added.

Defending his decision to speak with the media once the report was leaked, he said, "I thought it was right to do so. The chief minister has criticised me for doing so, but I would say that it is my prerogative to speak with the media. He too does the same."

"Moreover, I have not said anything derogatory about anyone in the media," he added.

On the issue of phone tapping, he said he has not lodged a complaint with anyone.

"I am happy that the government wants to take up this matter and get it investigated. It would be good if they do that," he said.

The report has indicted Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and four ministers, among others, and pegged the loss to the state exchequer because of illegal mining between March 2009 and April 2010 at more than Rs 1,800 crore.

With additional reportage from PTI

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