How is Lalit Kala Secy's appointment justified? HC asks Centre

The Delhi High Court today asked the Centre to explain how the appointment of the current Lalit Kala Akademi secretary, facing disciplinary proceedings for financial irregularities, can be justified.
The court also said as per the documents it has gone through during the proceedings, "it appears to us that all is not well with Lalit Kala Akademi".
Terming as an "eye-wash" the central government's claim that an administrator is controlling the cultural body, a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal said it appears the Secretary has been controlling the affairs of the Akademi.
It also asked the government and the Akademi to explain why the disciplinary proceedings against Sudhakar Sharma, the Secretary of the cultural body, has not been concluded yet.

"It is un-understandable as to why the said inquiry which was initiated long back (in 2014) could not be concluded till date. No justifiable explanation could be shown by the Government of India for the delay except stating that the proposal is pending for referring the inquiry proceedings to Chief Vigilance Commissioner," the bench said.
The court's observations came on two pleas, by Akhilesh Verma and Manish Pushkale, challenging the appointment of Sharma as the Secretary of the Akademi.

The petitioners, who claim to be artists, had alleged that his appointment was in violation of the provisions of Lalit Kala Akademi (Secretary, Lalit Kala Akademi) Recruitment Rules of 1999.

They had also alleged that Sharma had indulged in misappropriation of funds and that despite the allegations being proved in the inquiry conducted by the Akademi, he is illegally continuing in the office of Secretary.
"The allegation in the writ petitions that continuation of Sudhakar Sharma is not in the interest of the management of Akademi therefore cannot be simply brushed aside but needs deeper consideration.
"Hence, we consider it appropriate to re-open the writ petitions and call upon the respondents (Centre and Akademi) to file their response," the bench said.
It also issued notice to Sharma and sought his response within four weeks.

The court directed the Ministry of Culture and Lalit Kala Akademi not to allow Sharma to interfere with administration of the cultural body in any manner whatsoever till the inquiry against him was pending.
It also directed that a full-time administrator be appointed within two weeks from today to take control of the administrative affairs of the Akademi and listed the matter for hearing on July 4.
Sharma was earlier suspended by the Akademi in 2015, but the same was set aside by the Centre in the same year.
He was again suspended by the Akademi in January.