Watchdog will bite forever says Santosh Hegde

While people protested and pleaded with Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde to withdraw his resignation, the man himself gently reminded them that nothing is permanent. But there was one assurance for all those who see him as the only hope in the battle against corruption: “I will continue to be a watchdog.”

Justice Hegde who arrived at the DNA office on Thursday evening for an interaction with the staff, said, “My resignation will not end my battle against corruption. My doors will always be open for all those who feel helpless in seeking justice. But with just one little difference that I will continue this battle by staying outside the system, with more freedom. Nobody can snatch that spirit and freedom from me,” he said.

The Lokayukta also brought attention to the fact that even if he had not quit, he was duty-bound to step down from office next year when his tenure ends. “What if I go? The institution of Lokayukta will remain, and you will get another retired chief justice of a high court or a retired judge of the Supreme Court to head the institution. I don’t know whether my exit will allow the government to weaken the institution. I have no answer for questions from the public on that score,” he said.

“If I had not given any reasons for my quitting or cited health grounds as the reason for my decision then there would not have been any rancour,” he said.