3 held for trying to enter Lokayukta office

Three activists were today detained when they tried to meet Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta, retired Supreme Court Justice P P Naolekar here to request him to step down and refuse an extension by the state government.
Under a 'Lokayukta Go Home Campaign' launched today by different social organisations here, the activists are requesting Naolekar to quit the post of Lokayukta as he has been in the chair for last six years.
Activist Ajay Dubey along with Manoj Tripathi and Deepu Yadav were detained under CrPC sections 151 (preventive arrest) and 107 when they were trying to enter the Lokayukta office, head constable Sanjeev Khatiyar said.

"We want Justice P P Naolekar to go as he has completed his six years' tenure in office. The one-year extension to him from the state Cabinet had come as a gift to him," Dubey told PTI from Shahjehanabad police custody.
"The Lokayukta office has given clean chit to many members of the Cabinet following complaints against them. So he had been gifted with the extension," alleged Dubey, a member of Transparency International.
"Our campaign will continue come what may till Justice Naolekar resigns," he said.

His continuation will weaken democracy in Madhya Pradesh, he alleged.
The state Cabinet had in August last year extended Justice Naolekar's term by a year. With this extension, he will continue in office till he turns 72.

Meanwhile, some people from the legal fraternity, including retired district judge RBS Baghel, requested Justice Naolekar to step down.
However, Justice Naolekar told PTI, "Why should I resign? If the government appoints Lokayukta tomorrow, I will quit the post at that moment."
"Right now the post of deputy Lokayukta is lying vacant. If I quit what will happen to the institution," he reasoned.
"Who are these people...Protesting against me? They might be politically motivated," he said.