2011 (1) MPWN 120
S.R. Alam, C.J. and Alok Aradhe, J.
Kanhaiyalal Vishwakarma
v.
State of M.P. and others
Writ Petition (PIL) No. 14233 of 2010 (J);
Decided on : 6.10.2010. ~
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1. Heard on the question of admission.
2. In the instant petition filed as Public Interest Litigation, the petitioner has alleged about various financial irregularities alleged to have been committed by the Tehsildar who is arrayed as respondent No.4 in the writ petition. The petitioner inter alia has prayed for a direction to respondent Nos. 1 to 3 to take suitable action against the respondent No.4.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that though complaints have been made against the respondent No.4 to various authorities, yet no action has been taken against him.
4. Having heard learned counsel for the petitioner we are of the view that allegations made by the petitioner are required to be investigated before expressing any opinion on such allegations. In this regard it would be relevant to notice that the Government has created various authorities under the Special Act to investigate and also to suggest appropriate action against such public servant or officer who has misused or abused his position and as such is guilty of corruption. In this regard, it would be relevant to take note of the provisions of the M.P. Lokayukt Evan UP- Lokayukt Adhiniyam, 1981 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act") which is an Act to make provision for the appointment and functions of certain authorities for enquiry into the allegations against public servants and for matters connected therewith. The Act was enacted with an object to constitute Lokayukt Organisation, which replaced the Vigilance Commission. Lokayukt Organisation is an organisation which is set up under an enactment made by the State Legislature. Having received the statutory sanction the Lokayukt Organisation is totally free from Executive influence. The organisation functions as an instrument of control over the Executive by the Legislature as its annual reports are submitted to the Governor to be laid and discussed in the State Legislative Assembly. Section 2 (a) of the Act defines "officer" which reads as under:-
"2. (a) 'Officer' means a person appointed to a public service or post in connection with the affairs of the State of Madhya Pradesh."
Section 2 (b) defines the expression 'allegation' which reads as under:-
"2. (b) 'allegation' in relation to a public servant means any affirmation that such public servant,
(i) has abused his position as such to obtain any gain or favour to himself or to any other person or to cause undue harm to any person;
(ii) was actuated in the discharge of his functions as such public servant by improper or corrupt motives;
(iii) is guilty of corruption; or
(iv) is in possession of pecuniary resources or property disproportion ate to his known source of income and such pecuniary resources or property is held by the public servant personally or by any member of his family or by some other person on his behalf.
Explanation :- For the purpose of this sub-clause 'family' means husband, wife, sons and unmarried daughters living jointly with him."
5. Section 9 or the Act deals with the provisions relating to complaints. Section 9 inter alia provides that every complaint involving an allegation shall be made in such form as may be prescribed and shall be accompanied by deposit of twenty- five rupees. In case a complaint is made against a public servant in relation to whom the Chief Minister is not the Competent Authority neither the deposit nor the affidavit shall be necessary. Section 10 of the Act deals with the procedure in respect of enquiry. It empowers, the Lokayukt or Up- Lokayukt to decide the procedure to be followed for making the enquiry and in so doing ensure that the principle of natural jus ice are satisfied. Section 11 of the Act makes the provision of the Evidence Act as well as the Code of Criminal Procedure applicable to the procedure of enquiry before the Lokayukt or Up-Lokayukt.
6. Section 12 of the Act provides that if after enquiry into the allegations the Lokayukt or an Up- Lokayukt is satisfied that such allegation is
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