Complaint filed against Lokayuta for using red beacon on car

A complaint was today filed against newly appointed Goa Lokayukta, Justice (Retd) P K Misra by a social activist for using a red beacon on his official car.
The activist, Aires Rodrigues, claimed the Lokayuta was not entitled to use the beacon. However, his claim was refuted by the Lokayukta office which said the official can use the red beacon as "a Lokayukta enjoys status of a Supreme Court judge".
Rodrigues, in the complaint filed before Goa Chief Secretary and the state transport department, has said Lokayukta using red beacon car amounts to "gross contempt of the Supreme Court's order".

As per the complaint, in accordance with the Supreme Court order, the Goa Government by a notification issued on July 3, 2014 notified the list of persons entitled to use the red beacon on their official vehicle.
As per that notification, only the Governor, Chief Minister and Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chief Justice and Judges of the High Court, Leader of Opposition, Advocate General and the Chief Secretary, are allowed to use the red beacon, the complaint said.
"We have been using red beacon car for earlier Lokayukta so we have continued the practice," Mathew Samuel, Secretary, Goa Lokayukta told PTI.

He said as per the Lokayukta Act, Goa Lolayukta has a status of Supreme Court judge and hence is entitled for using a red beacon car.