HC seeks govt’s reply on PIL against up-lokayukta’s appointment

ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad high court on Wednesday directed the state government to file its reply in a PIL petition challenging the appointment of Shambhoo Singh Yadav as up-lokayukta of Uttar Pradesh.The court also summoned records related to the appointment of Yadav as up-lokayukta.

The bench comprising chief justice of the Allahabad high court DB Bhosale and justice Yashwant Varma passed the order while hearing a PIL petition filed by a high court lawyer Anoop Barnwal.

The petitioner contended that Shamboo Singh Yadav did not possess the qualification laid down in the Lokayukta Act. He added that transparency was not maintained in the appointment process.

The petitioner requested the court to quash Yadav’s appointment and direct the state government to issue guidelines for appointment of up-lokayukta.

According to the PIL, section 4 of the Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta Act, 1975, provided that a person holding the post of up-lokayukta should have the same qualification as that of lokayukta. “Since only a sitting or retired judge can be appointed as Lokayukta, Yadav’s appointment is illegal,” the petitioner said. Yadav was a PCS officer who was later promoted to the IAS cadre. He served as secretary to the CM and got extension in service for a number of times. The petitioner alleged Yadav was appointed as he had political connections. He claimed several candidates who had the requisite qualification for the post were ignored.