The Judicial probe by retired High Court Judge on land scam has drawn the ire of Lokayuktha Justice Santhosh Hegde. In a letter to State Chief Secretary Ranganath, Justice Hegde has expressed his displeasure at handing over land scam investigation to a Judicial Commission when the same is being investigated by Lokayuktha. He has also charged that Government’s action has violated Lokayuktha Act which stipulates that any enquiry pending with the Lokayuktha can be handed over to any other agency only after consultation with the Lokayuktha. Speaking to media persons in Bangalore yesterday Justice Hedge informed that investigation is already taken up on a complaint filed by JD(S) party on 18th November against the Chief Minister for de-notifying lands, claiming it was a Rs. 5,000-crore scam to favour his family members and others. The 580-page complaint filed by party spokesperson Y V S Datta had made specific allegations against the Chief Minister for de-notifying valuable government land to favour members of his family. In this regard Lokayuktha had served a notice to Chief Minister Yeddyurappa on 24th November. Mr. Hegde questioned the State Government’s intention of seeking the status of investigation only in seven cases when there are 29 cases being investigated by the Lokyuktha. He said that it is clear that Government wants to project him as a pro-JD(S) or a pro-Congress person. In a letter to the Lokayukta on Saturday, the State government had sought the status of seven cases, including appointment of assistant engineers in the PWD, construction of a ring road in Hassan, setting up of the Nandagudi SEZ and the Garuda Mall joint venture, among others. All these decisions were taken during the tenure of H D Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister.