Lokayukta appointment:HC seeks govt reply on BJP leader's plea

The Delhi High Court today asked the AAP government to respond to a plea alleging that they did not consult BJP leader Vijender Gupta on appointing the Lokayukta even though he was the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi assembly.
Justice V P Vaish also sought replies from the Centre and Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi on Gupta's application that as per Delhi Lokayukta and UpLokayukta Act, 1995, the appointment procedure provides that the Leader of Opposition (LoP) has to be consulted.
While issuing notice to all concerned authorities, the court sought their replies within a week and listed the matter for hearing on September three.

Gupta has made the allegations in an application seeking intervention in the main petition filed by BJP leader Sat Prakash Rana for appointment to the vacant post of Lokayukta, the anti-corruption ombudsman.
Apart from seeking to intervene in the petition, he has also prayed for directions to Delhi government to withdraw its affidavit, comply with statutory provisions and start consultations with him.
He has alleged that Delhi government's affidavit, claiming it has initiated the process of consultation by submitting its suggestion for filling up the post of Lokayukta to the Delhi High Court Chief Justice, was "false and misleading" as "no consultation process" has been initiated with him.

The counsel for Delhi government opposed Gupta's plea, saying that the process has been initiated and the appointment will be made soon.

He further said "the Delhi High Court Chief Justice has sought certain clarifications on August 10, to which the Delhi government has replied back on August 14."
The counsel sought dismissal of Gupta's application, saying it has been filed in connivance with the main petitioner Rana.
Advocates Neeraj and Sushil Kumar Pandey, appearing for Gupta, alleged that the process that Delhi government has stated to have begun was "nothing but a delaying tactic".