Acquitted librarian gets notice

BANGALORE: Librarian V Hanumanthappa, who was shocked after being trapped by Lokayukta police around four years ago for allegedly accepting bribe from a prospective candidate for a supervisor’s post, thought he had put the traumatic past behind him when he was acquitted and the Department of Public Libraries reinstated him on August 16, 2008.However, he was in for another shock, thanks to a notice (articles of charge) sent by the Lokayukta office.The Additional Registrar Enquiries- 3 sent a notice to Hanumanthappa on July 22 asking him to appear before the Upa Lokayukta on August 22 at 10.30 am for departmental proceedings.Hanumanthappa is now utterly confused. “The Kolar District Court Judge had acquitted me in the case (PCACC No 03:2008, dated: Nov 4, 2009) due to lack of evidence. I have no clue why the Lokayukta has sent me a notice again,” said Hanumanthappa.The police inspector, Lokayukta, Kolar district had even written a letter (Lok KLA/Kolar, No 14/06) to Chief Librarian, District Central Library, Kolar, stating that Kolar District Court had acquitted Hanumanthappa.He had also stated that the case was not fit for appeal in a higher court of law.Based on the report by the police inspector, the Department of Public Libraries posted him at KGF (August 16, 2008).Asked why Hanumanthappa had been issued a notice when the court had acquitted him, an official from the Lokayukta office stated that he might have been acquitted of criminal charges, but has to face a departmental inquiry.But when it was pointed out to him that the department had itself reinstated him and the Director of Public Libraries had even stated that the librarian was qualified to receive salary from October 25, 2006 to August 15, 2008, during which period the librarian was under suspension, the official refused to give an answer.When contacted, Lokayukta Justice Shivaraj Patil promised to do whatever was possible under the law. “It is advisable for Hanumanthappa to visit the Upa Lokayukta and present documents to the authorities concerned,” said Justice Patil.