Attempts to clip the powers of the Lok Ayukta should be “discouraged and resisted,” Supreme Court judge B.V. Nagarathna said here on Wednesday.
“Rendering this noble institution a toothless tiger, unable to meaningfully carry out its mandate through the form of restrictive amendments or other forms, should be discouraged and resisted. Nor should the institution be used for political ends and to settle scores,” Justice Nagarathna said, addressing the Lok Ayukta Day celebration organised by the Kerala Lok Ayukta.
Justice Nagarathna said she was “very much impressed” by Section 14 of the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act, 1999, which says, ‘‘Where, after investigation into a complaint, the Lok Ayukta or an Upa Lok Ayukta is satisfied that the complaint involving an allegation against the public servant is substantiated and that the public servant concerned should not continue to hold the post held by him, the Lok Ayukta or the Upa Lok Ayukta, as the case may be, shall make a declaration to that effect in his report under sub-section (3) of section 12,’’ and that the competent authority must accept the declaration.
