<br/>Karnataka Lokayuktha Justice Santhosh Hegde has resigned. After submitting his resignation, Justice Hedge told reporters in Bangalore that his resignation is not an emotional decision but a consequence of utter disregard shown to his position by the state government. Lokayuktha had been seeking suo moto power to investigate corrupt officers. He pointed out that reinstating officials charged with corruption, non appointment of Upa Lokayuktha, non compliance of reports filed by him and dilly dallying about action against illegal transport of iron ore is some of the incidents to show that Government has utter disregard for his position. He said successive State governments have promised to empower Lokayukta, but any move to make the anti-corruption institution more effective has been stalled time and again. Justice Hegde said his resignation will be effective from August 31, this is so because this will give time for him to submit pending reports of enquiry to government and give time for the Government to appoint a new Lokayuktha. Justice Hegde has conducted more than 100 successful raids and caught several officers with disproportionate assets. But only a small percentage of them have been convicted. Justice Hegde was appointed as Karnataka Lokayukta on third August 2006 for a term of five years and had 14 months to go. <br/>