The Delhi High Court on Friday gave 90 days to the Centre to consider and decide a representation for an impartial and effective Lokayukta in all States in the spirit of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the “Sense of House'” resolution adopted on Lokpal by the Parliament in 2011.
A bench headed by Chief Justice G. Rohini asked the Ministry of Law and Justice to consider the representation made by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay seeking an effective ‘Model Lokayukta’.
‘Will of the people’
Mr. Upadhyay told the court that he had written to the Prime Minister and also the Law Minister in June this year seeking an effective Model Lokayukta Bill.
In his representation and also the petition, Mr. Upadhyay said, “an effective impartial and strong Lokayukta in all the States is not only the ‘Will of the People’ as expressed through ‘Sense of the House’ Resolution adopted by both houses of Parliament in August, 2011, which was unanimously adopted, but also essential to curb corruption — the greatest menace to our democracy”.
The advocate said presently there is no consistent law punish the corrupt due to which every State has different laws against corruption.
Upadhyay’s representation has been received by the Centre, the counsel for the government informed.
The petition said it is the constitutional duty of the Executive to meet the ‘Will of the People’, and implement the ‘Sense of the House’ Resolution in letter and spirit, as it is very necessary for eradication of corruption.
It said that a ‘Model Lokayukta’ is necessary as corruption is an impediment in achieving the “golden goals” set out in the Preamble to the Constitution.
The court has asked Centre to decide the issues in the petition in 90 days while granting liberty to Mr. Upadhyay to move court in case he is not satisfied or if the Centre fails to implement its order.
