THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The amendment to the Lok Ayukta Act will have no effect on proceedings of cases coming before it, Lok Ayukta Justice Cyriac Joseph said. He was hearing a complaint about utilization of the CM's distress relief fund.
Justice Joseph made the observation after Upa Lok Ayukta Harun Al Rashid questioned the urgency of the case against the backdrop of the amendment. He said the ordinance is all about the implementation of a Lok Ayukta order; it means the proceedings will continue as usual. The ordinance doesn’t bar Lok Ayukta from pronouncing orders as per Section 14 of the Act. The moot point is about its implementation.
Without naming anyone, Justice Cyriac Joseph said there was no need to respond to what the media and politicians say. "If one goes near a street dog that chews on a bone, it will presume that the approaching person wants to snatch that bone from it. Dogs will keep on chewing bones. We have nothing to do with it, that's all," he said.
Next hearing in CMDRF case on February 25
Former minister K T Jaeel who was forced to resign from the cabinet after the Lok Ayukta declared him unfit for the position had levelled several allegations against Justice Cyriac Joseph ever since the government move to amend the Lok Ayukta Act became a controversy.
In the CMDRF case, the government on Friday argued that it is the cabinet that decides on spending of the fund and the Lok Ayukta cannot hear a case challenging the cabinet's right and prerogative. However, petitioner R S Sasikumar contended that the complaint was not against the cabinet but the chief minister and ministers who arbitrarily used the CMDRF to help people of their personal choice.
The instances questioned include the financial aid granted from the CMDRF to families of former MLA K K Ramachandran and NCP leader Uzhavoor Vijayan. The Lok Ayukta has asked both parties to submit documents justifying their arguments. The case will be heard further on February 25.
