People on Lokayukta search committee tainted: BJP

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 1

The Uttarakhand BJP has cast doubts on the integrity of some of the members of the search committee constituted to select candidates for the post Lokayukta and its members.

BJP spokesperson Munna Singh Chauhan today cited CBI recommendations in a report presented to the Supreme Court regarding the 2008 PF scam that surfaced in Moradabad. He said “There are members in the search committee on Lokayukta about whom the CBI had made adverse comments on the issues of misdemeanour. They were judges and based on the report they were transferred,” Chauhan said.

“How can such persons with questionable conduct be part of a search committee on Lokayukta which will have powers to inquire into the misdeeds of MLAs, Chief Ministers, bureaucrats and those occupying high offices in the state,” he questioned.

Chauhan said the government should, without any delay, reveal the names of the candidates selected for the chief post of Lokayukta and as its members.

“We have information that the candidates selected for these posts are also tainted. We urge the government to immediately make the names public,” he said.

Chauhan reminded the state government about the provisions of the Act and said “The Uttarakhand Lokayukta Act bars the appointment of judges who have been members of the Uttarakhand Public Service Tribunal. The government will be in trouble as t is planning to appoint a former judge, as our information suggests,” he said.

While he did not disclose the names of the candidates selected for the post, Chauhan did name the persons who were part of the search committee on Lokayukta. Brahma Singh Verma, a retired Judge of the Nainital High Court, is the chairman of the search committee while its members include Bhawar Singh (retired Justice of Allahabad High Court) and former Chief Secretary RS Tolia.