The High Court, in its interim order on April 5, stayed the appointment of M. Rajaram, a member of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC), & K. Arumugam, a functionary of the AIADMK’s advocates’ wing & a public prosecutor.
“The High Court appears to have erred,” the apex court said while staying the order.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the State government, said Mr. Rajaram had retired as a member of the TNPSC long before the vacancy in the Lokayukta came into being.
Similarly, Mr. Arumugam quit the party before the vacancies arose in the State ombudsman, he said, & drew the attention of the court to records to that effect. The HC, while staying the appointment of the two members to the State Lokayukta, had made it clear that there was no bar on the Lokayukta functioning with its chairman & other members.
Petitioner R. Rajendran contended that a TNPSC member cannot be appointed to the anti-corruption body as per norms, & alleged political considerations behind the selection of Mr. Arumugam.
