Team Anna demands Krishna's resignation

Team Anna member Kiran Bedi today demanded the resignation of external affairs minister SM Krishna in the wake of registration of a case against him by Lokayukta Police, saying such a step would not be taken "without basic homework".

Team Anna member Kiran Bedi on Thursday demanded the resignation of external affairs minister SM Krishna in the wake of registration of a case against him by Lokayukta Police, saying such a step would not be taken "without basic homework".

"If this is based on sound preliminary enquiry then they ought to step aside. Lokayukta Police would not register an FIR without basic homework. This is why we must have sound and independent Lokayuktas in all states," she said.

Her comments came when asked about the registration of an FIR against Krishna and two other former Karnataka chief ministers N Dharam Singh and HD Kumaraswamy by Lokayukta Police on a private complaint alleging that they facilitated illegal mining during their tenure.

HT Image

Eleven bureaucrats have also been named in the FIR filed under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Forest Conservation Act, Forest Act and Minerals and Metals Regulation and Development Act (MMRDA) and IPC.

The complainant has alleged Krishna, who was the chief minister from October 1999 to May 2004, permitted illegal mining for pecuniary gains. He has levelled similar charges against Dharam Singh and Kumaraswamy who were at the helm of affairs in the state from May, 2004 to February 2006 and February 2006 to Oct 2007 respectively.