Bengaluru, 28 Oct 

BJP MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri on Tuesday demanded a judicial probe by a sitting judge into allegations of corruption against State Assembly Speaker UT Khader, during his 2.5-year tenure.

Kageri also called for bringing the office of the Speaker under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, to ensure transparency.

"There are allegations that Khader in his 2.5 years tenure as the Speaker of the Assembly, has indulged in corruption, in the name of administrative reforms. Such allegations are there in the media, social media, YouTube and others," he said.

The former State Assembly speaker said, "The projects undertaken by him were not urgent; several of them were rejected by the Finance Department, but still, using the Chief Minister's influence, they were getting sanctioned. There are allegations that the works were taken up by obtaining 4 (g) exemptions."

"The works include installation of smart lockers in rooms at legislators' homes and other equipment, book fair, lighting (to Vidhana Soudha), massage chairs for legislators, food arrangements, AI-monitored TV, carpets -- in everything, it appears that there is corruption. There are allegations that (contracts) are being given to some people who are from Mangaluru (from where Khader hails)."

Noting that the Speaker's position carries great dignity in democracy, the BJP MP said it should remain above suspicion.

“Let there be a judicial probe by a sitting judge, and let him come out clean. There will be none who will be happier than me," the BJP leader said.

Asked whether he had any supporting documents, Kageri said the judge should collect all relevant records and documents, and bring out the truth.

"If asked, I will definitely provide the information I have," he added.