JOIN US The High Court on Tuesday asked the petitioner, who had questioned the appointment of IAS officer PC Jaffer as Lokayukata registrar, whether the rules of the Karnataka Lokayukta (Cadre, Recruitment and conditions of service of the officers and employees) Rules, 1988 are challenged or not.
The petitioner's advocate M Arun Shyam sought permission from the Court to amend the petition and challenge the rules as well.
The petitioner had said that judicial officers of the rank of district and sessions judge were appointed as Lokayukta registrars to keep independence of the office from the bureaucracy. Lokayukta is the only body to investigate and take action under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Lokayukta Act and most of the complaints and allegations dealt by the office of Lokayukta pertaining to either politicians or the public servants including IAS/IPS officers.
The registrar is appointed on the recommendation of the High Court of Karnataka in consultation or on request by the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta. But, the well-established precedent has been overlooked and the government has appointed an IAS officer as the registrar of the office of the Lokayukta.
The petitioner had contended that the appointment was contrary to aims and objectives of the Article 50 of Constitution of India, Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Lokayukta Act, 1984. The petitioner has also questioned the integrity of the appointed registrar having regard to complaints and allegations registered and closed in the year 2014 and 2015.
The petitioner had sought directions from the Court to quash the registrar’s appointment stating that it was illegal and unconstitutional. A division bench comprising Justice N Kumar and Justice G Narendra adjourned the hearing to August 25