News Highlight
The High Court of Karnataka set aside the constitution of a separate Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) under the direct control of the Chief Minister.
Key Takeaways
- While declaring that the ACB stood abolished with immediate effect, the court restored the power to investigate corruption cases to the Lokayukta police wing as it existed prior to the creation of the ACB.
- The court made it clear that all the pending inquiries, investigations, and cases being prosecuted by the ACB got transferred to the Lokayukta police wing for further action as per law.
What is Lokayukta?
- Lokayukta is an anti-corruption authority or ombudsman—an official appointed by the government to represent the interests of the public.
- The Lokayukta is a statutory body that was created under the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act of 2013.
- They look into claims of corruption against governmental entities and organisations, as well as other problems.
Selection of Lokayukta:
- The Chief Minister selects a person as the Lokayukta after consultation with
- The High Court Chief Justice,
- The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly,
- The Chairman of the Legislative Council,
- Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly
- The Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council.
Jurisdictions of the Lokayukta
- There is no uniformity in the case of the jurisdiction of Lokayukta.
- For instance, the Chief Minister is subject to the Lokayukta’s jurisdiction in Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, but not in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, or Bihar.
- In most the states, the Lokayukta has jurisdiction over ministers and higher government officers.
- Lokayukta is responsible to the state legislature.
- Its annual report is presented in the legislature, and conventionally, its recommendations are accepted by the House.
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Content Source: The Hindu