A day after state cabinet approved the appointment of retired Justice B Sudershan Reddy as the Lokayukta of Goa, city-based social activist and lawyer Aires Rodrigues announced that he would challenge the same, saying it was done in a non-transparent and high-handed manner.
Addressing a news conference here in the presence of leaders of various political parties and NGOs, Adv Rodrigues strongly criticized Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for appointment of Justice Reddy as Lokayukta.
He urged Governor Bharat Vir Wanchoo not to administer the oath to Justice Reddy as the Lokayukta on March 16.
Strongly criticizing Mr Parrikar for having entrusted Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni the task of searching a Lokayukta, he said the Chief Minister should have instead written to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or some other High Courts seeking names for the post.
He said there is a consensus within all the political parties and NGOs against his appointment as Lokayukta. He also said the person who will hold the office of Lokayukta should be sturdy and non-partisan.
He said the selection of Justice Reddy will be challenged in a court of law for not being transparent and in accordance with law.
Adv Rodrigues sought to know why Justice Reddy recommended Mr Parrikar’s controversial and draconian amendments to the Goa Lokayukta Act that were passed in the last Assembly session.
He also sought to know why he did not propose any other amendments that would give teeth to the Goa Lokayukta to crack the rampant prevailing corruption in the state.
UNI
