HC dismisses PIL seeking appointment of Up-Lokayukta in Uttar

The Allahabad High Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation demanding appointment of an Up-Lokayukta (deputy ombudsman) in Uttar Pradesh and objecting to some of the provisions of the Lokayukta Act.
A division bench, comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice Yashwant Verma, rejected the PIL of Anoop Barnwal, an advocate of the High Court, who had sought the directions to concerned authorities for appointing an Up-Lokayukta in the state.
The court turned down the petition observing that a new Lokayukta had assumed office in the state only on January 31 last and hence "it cannot be said that the responsible authorities are in fault" since the Up-Lokayukta had to be appointed by the Governor in consultation with the Lokayukta. The court also concurred with the state government's submission with regard to the second relief sought by the petitioner that objections raised against the provisions of the UP Lokayukta and Up Lokayukta Act were not maintainable since these had been upheld by the Supreme Court.