Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (GA)

Mangalore, Feb 9: For the first time the district court has ordered the Lokayukta officials to return the ornaments seized during the raid on MCC assistant engineer Linge Gowda, a few months ago.

The lokayukta officials led by SP Ashokan had raided the house of Linge Gowda on October 1, 2005.  In the meantime Linge Gowda's father's house and his nephew (elder brother's son) house at Tarikere too were raided simultaneously.  Subsequently a charge sheet was filed against him in which it was stated that Linge Gowda owned property worth 208.20% more than his income.  The lokayukta officials had also seized 487.900 grams of gold. 

But the accused Linge Gowda had filed a case in the sessions court questioning the action by lokayukta.  During the subsequent hearing, his advocate had argued that Linge Gowda had ancestral property, which was handed over to him by his father.  The advocate had also stated that the accused had declared his property and wealth details soon after joining as junior engineer in MCC.

Moreover, he had further stated that the raid was prompted by some contractors who had problems with Linge Gowda since the latter was a strict officer who never loathed for bribe and was against any kind of corruption.

Taking into considerations all these, the court has ordered lokayukta to return the ornaments seized during the raid.

It is said that it is for the first time that a district level court has questioned the authority and action of Lokayukta.