Nitte Santhosh Hegde
Encyclopedia
Nitte Santosh Hegde is a former justice of the Supreme Court Of India
, former Solicitor General of India
and was Lokayukta
(ombudsman
) for Karnataka
State of India
from 2006-2011.
, Udupi district
, Karnataka
. He had his early education at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore and Madras Christian College
in Madras. He completed his intermediate exam from St. Joseph's College, Bangalore
and BSc
degree from Central College of Bangalore
. Hegde graduated with a law degree from Government Law College (now known as University Law College), Bangalore in 1965.
for the state of Karnataka in February 1984 and held that position till August 1988. He worked as additional Solicitor General
of the union of India from December 1989 to November 1990 and was re-appointed as the Solicitor General of India on 25-04-1998. Nitte Santosh Hegde was appointed as a judge of Supreme Court of India on 08-01-1999. He retired as judge of Supreme Court Of India
in June 2005. He was conferred honorary doctorate of law degree by Mangalore University
in 2005 For a brief period he worked as Chairperson of Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi. Hegde was of the view that Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was not the authority for dispute resolution between customers and telecommunication service providers. He was appointed as Lokayukta of Karnataka state on 3 August 2006 for a term of five years.
and by G. Karunakara Reddy
, G. Janardhana Reddy
and G. Somashekara Reddy
who are ministers in the Government of Karnataka
. He has expressed concern about illegal mining
taking place in state of Karnataka which have deep repercussion
for ecology and to exchequer of state. A report constituted by the Lok Ayukta uncovered major violations and systemic corruption
in iron-ore mining in Bellary. There were violations in the allowed geography, encroachment of forest land, massive underpayment of state mining royalties relative to the market price of iron ore and systematic starvation of government mining entities. The damage to public interest was so serious that he recommended banning all exports of iron ore and limiting iron ore production for captive production of iron and steel
and he felt powerless to help. He expressed inability to be effective in his anti-corruption mandate owing to a non-cooperative Government of Karnataka
. After the resignation, he stated:
Amid media speculation that the ports minister Palemar
had recommended Gokul's suspension on behalf of some politicians with business interests, Palemar defended his recommendation to suspend Gokul since he failed to attend a meeting, for it raised suspicions that he may be involved in the scam himself. In fact, in a press meeting, Hegde indicated that:
The matter, which is being called the Belekeri port scam
, relates to 3.5 million tons of illegal iron ore, belonging to the powerful mining lobby headed by G. Janardhana Reddy
, that was ready to be exported from Belekeri port. After Gokul seized the ore and the high court refused to permit it's export without appropriate papers, a large part of it was surreptitiously exported from the port. Hegde's resignation sought to underline the helplessness of the advisory post of the Lokayukta in such situations.
After persistent protests and public pressure Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa admitted to an illegal iron-ore export racket at Belekeri Port
involving 35 lakh metric tonnes of iron ore.
Justice Hegde withdrew his resignation and agreed to continue in the post of Lok Ayukta after persuasion from National leadership of the BJP. The party risked a major loss of face in the BJP ruled Karnataka State government by allowing an upright person in public service to leave office, though All India Congress Committee general secretary B K Hariprasad said that "Hegde's actions prove that he is a BJP man".
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Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India...
, former Solicitor General of India
Solicitor General of India
The Solicitor General for India is subordinate to the Attorney General of India, who is the Indian government's chief legal advisor, and its primary lawyer in the Supreme Court of India. The Solicitor General for India is the second law officer of the country, assists the Attorney General, and is...
and was Lokayukta
LokAyukta
The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption ombudsman organization in the Indian states.The Administrative Reforms Commission headed by Morarji Desai submitted a special interim report on "Problems of Redressal of Citizen's Grievances' in 1966...
(ombudsman
Ombudsman
An ombudsman is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between an organization and some internal or external constituency while representing not only but mostly the broad scope of constituent interests...
) for Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
State of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
from 2006-2011.
Early life
Santosh Hegde was born in Udupi district in Karnataka to former speaker of Loksabha, Justice K. S. Hegde and his wife Meenakshi Hegde (née Adyanthaya). He is one of six children born to the couple. He was born on 16 June 1940 in NitteNitte
Nitte is a village in Karkala taluk of Udupi a district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The village is on the way from Padubidri to Karkala. Its 8 km away from Karkala and 54 km from Mangalore. This place is well connected by buses frequenting one in 15 mins...
, Udupi district
Udupi district
Udupi district , ಉಡುಪಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ) in the Karnataka state of India was created in August 1997. The three northern taluks, Udupi, Kundapur and Karkal, were separated from Dakshina Kannada District to form Udupi district. Udupi district is surrounded by Uttara Kannada district in north, Dakshina Kannada...
, Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
. He had his early education at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore and Madras Christian College
Madras Christian College
The Madras Christian College, commonly known as MCC, is a liberal arts and sciences college in Madras , India. Founded in 1837, MCC is one of Asia's oldest extant colleges. Currently, the college is affiliated to the University of Madras, but functions as an autonomous institution from its campus...
in Madras. He completed his intermediate exam from St. Joseph's College, Bangalore
St. Joseph's College, Bangalore
St. Joseph's College , Bangalore is one of the oldest colleges in the State of Karnataka with a history of more than 125 years behind it. It imparts graduate, post-graduate and research education while searching, renewing and expanding itself, attempting to be ever relevant to the changing...
and BSc
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree from Central College of Bangalore
Central College of Bangalore
Central College of Bangalore is one of the oldest colleges in science in India. This college originally affiliated to Madras University part of Central College of Bangalore is one of the oldest colleges in science in India...
. Hegde graduated with a law degree from Government Law College (now known as University Law College), Bangalore in 1965.
Career
After completing apprenticeship training, he enrolled as an advocate in January 1966 and was designated as senior advocate in May 1984. Hegde was appointed as the Advocate GeneralAdvocate General
An Advocate General is a senior law officer of a country or other jurisdiction, usually charged with advising the courts or Government on legal matters.-India:In India, an Advocate General is a legal adviser to a state government...
for the state of Karnataka in February 1984 and held that position till August 1988. He worked as additional Solicitor General
Solicitor General of India
The Solicitor General for India is subordinate to the Attorney General of India, who is the Indian government's chief legal advisor, and its primary lawyer in the Supreme Court of India. The Solicitor General for India is the second law officer of the country, assists the Attorney General, and is...
of the union of India from December 1989 to November 1990 and was re-appointed as the Solicitor General of India on 25-04-1998. Nitte Santosh Hegde was appointed as a judge of Supreme Court of India on 08-01-1999. He retired as judge of Supreme Court Of India
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India...
in June 2005. He was conferred honorary doctorate of law degree by Mangalore University
Mangalore University
Mangalore University is a public university located in Konaje, Karnataka State of India. Ranked with a four star by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council in June 2000, this young university offers higher education and conducts research in various fields...
in 2005 For a brief period he worked as Chairperson of Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal, New Delhi. Hegde was of the view that Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was not the authority for dispute resolution between customers and telecommunication service providers. He was appointed as Lokayukta of Karnataka state on 3 August 2006 for a term of five years.
Major anti-corruption cases and investigations as Lok Ayukta of Karnataka
The Lok Ayukta had exposed major irregularities in mines in Bellary, including those owned by Obulapuram Mining CompanyObulapuram Mining Company
Obulapuram Mining Company also known as OMC or OMCPL is an iron ore mining company located in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in India. The company is owned by the brothers, G. Karunakara Reddy, G. Janardhana Reddy and G. Somashekara Reddy, who were ministers in the Government of Karnataka...
and by G. Karunakara Reddy
G. Karunakara Reddy
G. Karunakara Reddy is a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He represents the Bellary constituency of Karnataka and is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party political party....
, G. Janardhana Reddy
G. Janardhana Reddy
Gali Janardhana Reddy is a Indian politician with the Bharatiya Janata Party and one of the richest politicians of Karnataka. He has been implicated in the massive illegal mining scandal in Bellary and the related Belekeri port scam...
and G. Somashekara Reddy
G. Somashekara Reddy
G. Somashekara Reddy is a member of the Vidhan Sabha of Karnataka representing the Bellary assembly constituency of Karnataka and is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party political party. He is also the chairman of Karnataka Milk Federation...
who are ministers in the Government of Karnataka
Government of Karnataka
The Government of Karnataka is a democratically elected body with the Governor as the constitutional head. The Governor who is appointed for a period of five years appoints the Chief Minister and his council of ministers...
. He has expressed concern about illegal mining
Illegal mining in India
Illegal mining in India is widespread in various ore-rich states of India, and has generated controversy, which spans encroachment of forest areas, underpayment of government royalties, conflict with tribals regarding land-rights...
taking place in state of Karnataka which have deep repercussion
Repercussion
Repercussion is the second album by The dB's. Like its predecessor, Stands for Decibels, the album was commercially unsuccessful but has since developed a cult following and is now arguably regarded as just as much of a classic as Stands for Decibels by both fans of power pop and rock fans in...
for ecology and to exchequer of state. A report constituted by the Lok Ayukta uncovered major violations and systemic corruption
Systemic corruption
Systemic corruption is corruption which is primarily due to a weaknesses of an organisation or process.It can be contrasted with individual officials or agents who act corruptly within the system....
in iron-ore mining in Bellary. There were violations in the allowed geography, encroachment of forest land, massive underpayment of state mining royalties relative to the market price of iron ore and systematic starvation of government mining entities. The damage to public interest was so serious that he recommended banning all exports of iron ore and limiting iron ore production for captive production of iron and steel
Controversies
- He was alleged to have pressured Chief Minister of Karnataka to remove then Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) commissioner S. Subramanya. Subramanya was heading the BBMP which was held responsible for bad maintenance of Bangalore, including drowning accidents during monsoon.
- Some people have questioned his political motives in timing his resignation a day before a BJP state government convention, though he has not been aligned with any particular political party over the course of his career.
Resignation from post of Lok Ayukta
Hegde resigned from the Lokayukta position on 23 June 2010 after an honest officer (Deputy Conservator of Forests R Gokul) was suspended by order of minister J. Krishna PalemarJ. Krishna Palemar
J. Krishna Palemar is a Karnataka politician with the BJP, currently serving as Minister of Environment and Ports in the B. S. Yeddyurappa government....
and he felt powerless to help. He expressed inability to be effective in his anti-corruption mandate owing to a non-cooperative Government of Karnataka
Government of Karnataka
The Government of Karnataka is a democratically elected body with the Governor as the constitutional head. The Governor who is appointed for a period of five years appoints the Chief Minister and his council of ministers...
. After the resignation, he stated:
- A cabinet minister wanted an officer to be suspended for having exposed attempts to export illegal iron ore from Belekeri port that was seized by our team in a raid on March 20. When the officer sought my help, I could not do anything. Besides this, all officers against whom I conducted raids and suspended, have been reinstated.
Amid media speculation that the ports minister Palemar
J. Krishna Palemar
J. Krishna Palemar is a Karnataka politician with the BJP, currently serving as Minister of Environment and Ports in the B. S. Yeddyurappa government....
had recommended Gokul's suspension on behalf of some politicians with business interests, Palemar defended his recommendation to suspend Gokul since he failed to attend a meeting, for it raised suspicions that he may be involved in the scam himself. In fact, in a press meeting, Hegde indicated that:
- The whole idea was if Gokul is suspended even for a day, a new investigating officer can be appointed and a scam of this stature which runs to thousands of crores can be shut. ... I couldn’t do anything for [Gokul] who had done the investigation going out of his way. I was very disturbed and couldn’t sleep for two days. I told my wife and decided to resign on Wednesday.
The matter, which is being called the Belekeri port scam
Belekeri port scam
The Belekeri port scam relates to 3.5 million tons of confiscated iron ore that was exported illegally from Belekeri port near Karwar in Karnataka. After Deputy Conservator of Forests R. Gokul seized the ore and the high court refused to permit it to be exported, a large part of it was...
, relates to 3.5 million tons of illegal iron ore, belonging to the powerful mining lobby headed by G. Janardhana Reddy
G. Janardhana Reddy
Gali Janardhana Reddy is a Indian politician with the Bharatiya Janata Party and one of the richest politicians of Karnataka. He has been implicated in the massive illegal mining scandal in Bellary and the related Belekeri port scam...
, that was ready to be exported from Belekeri port. After Gokul seized the ore and the high court refused to permit it's export without appropriate papers, a large part of it was surreptitiously exported from the port. Hegde's resignation sought to underline the helplessness of the advisory post of the Lokayukta in such situations.
After persistent protests and public pressure Karnataka Chief Minister Yeddyurappa admitted to an illegal iron-ore export racket at Belekeri Port
Belekeri port scam
The Belekeri port scam relates to 3.5 million tons of confiscated iron ore that was exported illegally from Belekeri port near Karwar in Karnataka. After Deputy Conservator of Forests R. Gokul seized the ore and the high court refused to permit it to be exported, a large part of it was...
involving 35 lakh metric tonnes of iron ore.
Justice Hegde withdrew his resignation and agreed to continue in the post of Lok Ayukta after persuasion from National leadership of the BJP. The party risked a major loss of face in the BJP ruled Karnataka State government by allowing an upright person in public service to leave office, though All India Congress Committee general secretary B K Hariprasad said that "Hegde's actions prove that he is a BJP man".
Retirement
He retired as Lokayukta of Karnataka on 2 August 2011. His successor was Justice Shivraj Patil. But, barely two months after he was appointed Lokayukta of Karnataka, Justice Shivraj Patil on September 19 resigned after a controversy erupted over allotment of housing sites for him and his wife allegedly in violation of rules.External links
- N. Santosh Hegde, Profile at Government of KarnatakaGovernment of KarnatakaThe Government of Karnataka is a democratically elected body with the Governor as the constitutional head. The Governor who is appointed for a period of five years appoints the Chief Minister and his council of ministers...
website
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