West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar questions Lokayukta's appointment

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 3

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has questioned the appointment of the Lokayukta and Chairperson and member of the State Human Rights Committee (HRC) by the state government.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari had asked the state government if notifications were issued for appointment on these posts.

With regard to the appointment of Chairperson and Member of West Bengal Human Rights Commission, the state government responded to Adhikari saying there was no provision in the Act concerned for issuing advertisement/notification in such matter. While Jyotirmay Bhattacharya, retired Chief Justice of the Calcutta HC, was recommended for the HRC Chairman’s post, Shivkant Prasad, retired judge of the Calcutta HC, was recommended as HRC member.

In a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Governor said it was not clear whether the letter written by Adhikari was put up before the committee when it met to recommend the names for filling the two HRC posts and the Lokayukta’s post.

The committee had recommended the name of Ashim Kumar Roy, former judge of the Calcutta High Court, for re-appointment as Lokayukta.