The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notices to the Central government, Delhi government and Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung for failure to appoint a Lokayukta.
The court issued the notice on a plea by the former BJP MLA from Bijwasan, Sat Prakash Rana, seeking immediate appointment of a Lokayukta.
The lawyer representing the Delhi government said they required the approval of the Centre for appointment of a Lokayukta, but that a reply as to why it has not been done yet will be filed.
Justice Rajiv Shakdher, who was hearing the case, pulled up the Delhi government saying that the parties must have a good answer while filing their replies.
“The quicker you [the Delhi government] do it, the better it would be...Hopefully, you will have some answers by next date,” Justice Rajiv Shakdher said, while setting July 24 as the next date of hearing.
PTI adds:
The lawyer appearing for the petitioner submitted in court that when the earlier Lokayukta — Justice Manmohan Sarin — demitted office there were 56 pending cases. Since then, more than 500 cases have been filed.
The plea adds that the institution of Lokayukta was set up to inquire into allegations against public functionaries, but the post has been vacant for the last 18 months.
Mr. Rana also stated in his plea that though the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government assumed charge in Delhi on February 14, it has “not yet taken any step for the appointment of the Lokayukta and Up Lokayukta here”.