Why no Lokayuktha yet? : SC asks U’khand [Read Petition]

The Supreme Court has sought reply from Uttarakhand Government on a plea seeking appointment of Lokayukta in the state, which is lying vacant.

The Bench comprising of the Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud were considering a writ petition filed by Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay for implementation of the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Act-2011. The State has been asked to file reply within four weeks.

Ashwini Kumar, who is a lawyer and BJP leader had through his writ petition submitted that, Uttarakhand is without the Lokayukta since September-2013, while more than 700 complaints related to corruption are pending. He contended that it is the constitutional duty of the Government to appoint the Lokayukta in accordance with the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Act-2011, which is the best and most effective Lokayukta Act of the Country.

State government should appoint the Lokayuktha in accordance with the Act immediately, instead of delaying it by introducing a new Lokayukta Bill, he contended. He also submitted before the Court that, in absence of an independent impartial effective Lokayukta in State, corruption cannot be controlled and time-bound delivery of services cannot be ensured to citizens of the State thus causes injury.

Read the petition here.