HC seeks Centre's response on Lokayukta appointment in Delhi

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the Centre's response on a plea seeking the status of the appointment of Lokayukta in the national capital, a post which is lying vacant since June last year.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice RS Endlaw also directed the central government counsel to take instructions by September 17 from the Ministry of Urban Development on the appointment.

The bench asked the counsel about the procedure to be followed for appointment of the Lokayukta. "Take instructions from the government and we will take necessary action," the court said.

Delhi Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin's five years tenure ended on June 5 last year. The court direction came on a PIL, which sought direction to the Centre and Delhi government for extension of Sarin's tenure till formation of a new government in the national capital, in order to adjudicate pending further inquiries against the public functionaries.

The PIL filed through Kamran Siddiqui sought extension of Sarin's tenure as he had started inquiries in related cases and these were in the last stages when his tenure ended.

The petitioner alleged that the legislator from Okhla constituency Asif Mohd Khan facing 17 criminal cases, most of which were of assault on government officials and encroaching upon land belonging to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and pending in the court of law.

The petition said the legislator was misusing the MLA LAD fund for beautification of a graveyard in Batla House area. It said Rs 2.8 crore was being used on demolishing and rebuilding a boundary wall which was in good condition.

The PIL further sought direction against the officials of the Centre and Delhi government to restrain misutilising of public fund by Khan. "Issue an appropriate order or direction for a thorough court-monitored investigation by SIT or the CBI into the violation of public fund and into abuse and misuse of power of public functionaries and the contractors.

"Issue an appropriate order or direction against the Respondent No.4 (Delhi Waqf Board) to produce detail of the revenues collected," the petition said.

It also sought direction for allotting land for a graveyard in Shaheen Bag.