Gujarat High Court agrees to take up plea on Lokayukta
By IANSWednesday, May 12, 2010
GANDHINAGAR - The Gujarat High Court Wednesday agreed to take up a petition alleging the state government’s inaction over appointment of a Lokayukta (ombudsman) but cautioned petitioners to cite reasonable grounds for taking up their suits.
Social activist Amit Jethwa through his advocate Vijay Nagesh had filed a public interest litigation (PIL) and questioned the state government’s inaction over appointment of the Lokayukta.
The petitioner sought the court’s direction pointing out that there was no Lokayukta in the state since November 2003.
He claimed that in the absence of a Lokayukta, aggrieved citizens were compelled to approach the high court, increasing the burden on the judiciary.
The grounds cited by Jethwa for taking up his plea did not impress the court. It said the petitioners should cite reasonable grounds while filing suits.
A division bench of Justice Bhagwati Prasad and Justice J.C. Upadhyay said that citizens were free to approach the high court in case of any difficulties with government officials or government bodies.
The division bench posted the matter to be listed for hearing after June 15.
Earlier, a division bench comprising Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya and Justice Akil Kureshi had refused to hear the PIL and directed that it should be moved before another division bench.
