The Crusader against Corruption Justice Venkatachala Speaks to Daijiworld

November 8, 2006

The wrong-doers dreaded him as he spelt doom to those who fail in their duties and were not faithful government servants.

Justice Venkatachala is a man of great experience and calibre. As the Lok Ayukta of Karnataka, he sent shivers down the spines of all those entagled in the web of corruption.

Having recently retired from the post, Justice Venkatachala was in the city on a visit and it was indeed a privilege for Daijiworld to meet him.

Melisha Noronha of Daijiworld.com spoke to Justice Venkatachala and spent some time with him listening to his experience and thoughts.

Justice Nanjegowda Venkatachala was born on July 3, 1930 in Mittur village in Mulbagal Taluk in Kolar District in a respectable agriculturist family. He had his primary and middle school education at Mulbagal, High School education at Kolar and College education at Bangalore.

After obtaining his B.Sc. degree and B L degree from Mysore University, he enrolled himself as an advocate in the then High Court of Mysore (now Karnataka) on November 16 1955.

Justice Venkatachala in the prime of his mission built up good practice in the High Court and its subordinate courts at Bangalore in civil, criminal and constitutional matters. He was a part-time Reader in Mercantile Law from 1958 to 1970. He then went on to become the Legal Adviser to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal from 1963 to 1973 and Bangalore University from 1970 to 1973.

Justice Venkatachala who climbed steps of success gradually and with honest effort was the High Court Govt. Pleader from 1968 to 1973 and High Court Govt. Advocate from 1973 to 1977.

Subsequently he was installed as Additional Judge, Karnataka High Court from 28th November, 1977 and appointed Permanent Judge from 1978.

It was in 1992, that he was raised to the Bench as Chief Justice, Karnataka High Court. The next momentous day was July 1, 1992, when he was sworn in as the Judge of the Supreme Court of India. Before donning the mantle of Karnataka Lok Ayukta, he rendered his service as the single member Justice N Venkatachala Commission on Railway Accidents and Remedial measures.
 
Even at 76, nothing keeps him away from active life. His service as the Lok Ayukta was a hard blow to the rampant bribery and corruption that prevailed in government offices. Currently, he is the elected president of the All India Lok Ayukta/ Lokpals/Upalok Ayuktas' Association.

Known for his dedication and commitment to his work, justice Venkatachala today has become a crusader against corruption.

Excerpts from the interview:

MN: It was during your tenure as Lok Ayukta of Karnataka that there was hope that one could still believe in the government system. But now that you are no longer in office, what is your role?

JV: What I do now is enlighten the public at large about the need to be cautious. One needs to be aware of the nation because of public servants. If people pursue matters with the help of the Right to Information Act, it will make the people in power more accountable which in turn will aide in locating the culprits. With the right to Information Act, all can become guardians and save the situation from getting worse.

MN: What is the status of the current Lok Ayukta? Nothing much is written about him or his work unlike during your tenure when you were in the news almost everyday for your work?

JV: It is but natural for a person to take time to pick up. He is still trying to get hold of things. My advice to him is to aim at big fish. He must insist on amendments of the Lok Ayukta Act. He must learn to c