It has been set into motion. After weeks of debate, Karnataka legislators will finally move a motion seeking the removal of the state's Lokayukta Y Bhaskar Rao. Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Monday gave his assent to the state Lokayukta Amendment Bill 2015, paving the way for the removal of a 'tainted' ombudsman. However, given that all parties are preparing for the BBMP polls, it is unclear when the Legislature will meet. The government may hold a special session for the purpose. Justice Rao will no longer have any administrative powers and duties, once the motion is moved and accepted by the Speaker of the House, thereby resulting in the Lokayukta's suspension. Following this, the state Assembly can ask for a judicial probe into the Lokayukta's conduct. In spite of his son being the alleged kingpin of a huge racket that bribed and threatened government officials, the Lokayukta has refused to resign. A Special Investigation Team, set up on June 30 by the state government to probe the bribery and corruption charges against Lokayukta's son Ashwin Rao and some Lokayukta officials, arrested Ashwin in Hyderabad on July 27, Lokayukta joint commissioner Syed Riyaz on July 26 and their three accomplices in the third week of July in Benglauru. "The Karnataka Lokayukta amendment bill has been enacted into law with the governor's consent and the amended Act comes into force," state Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra told reporters. The amendment will enable one-third lawmakers of either house of the state legislature to move a notice to the Assembly Speaker and Council Chairman seeking removal of the Lokayukta if found guilty of misconduct or incapacity. The state legislature passed the amendment bill on July 31 after lawmakers cutting across party lines demanded removal of Lokayukta Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao for the alleged involvement of his son Y. Ashwin Rao in bribery and graft case in complicity with some unidentified officials of the watchdog. "Section six of the amendment Act enables the legislature to pass a motion for the Lokayukta's removal with two-third majority if the ombudsman is found guilty of misconduct or incapacity by the Karnataka High Court chief justice or a nominated judge," Jayachandra said, citing its new provisions. When can the Lokayukta be removed? According to procedure effected through the amendment, 75 MLAs and 25 members of the Legislative Council must sign a letter asking for an enquiry. The Speaker of the House then has to forward it to the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court. The court has to then conduct and enquiry and submit a report to the Speaker within two months. If the House accepts the report with two-thirds majority, the Lokayukta can be removed.