HC closes CPI-M's plea on setting up of Lokayukta in TN

The Madras High Court today closed a petition from the CPI-M's Tamil Nadu secretary G Ramakrishan seeking a direction to the Tamil Nadu government for setting up a Lokayukta in the state.

When the PIL came up before a division bench of Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad, Advocate General Vijay Narayan submitted that a gazette notification has already been published for constitution of the Lokayukta.

Following the submission, the bench closed the PIL.

Petitioner said the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 mandates constitution of the Lokayukta within a period of one year from the date of commencement of the Act.

The Act commenced on December 18, 2013.

The government ought to have established it at the maximum within December 17, 2014, the petitioner siad.

"The act of the state government in not establishing the Lokayukta is arbitrary and in violation of Article 14 of the Constitution of India," he submitted.

He sought a direction to the state for the establishment of the Lokayukta within a timeframe fixed by the High Court.