As Delhi government’s plan to review powers of the Lokayukta, the anti-corruption watchdog has demanded more teeth to probe graft cases against public functionaries and asked chief minister Sheila Dikshit to view the institution as an “aid” for probity in governance rather than an obstacle.
Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin said the watchdog should be given powers of “search and seizure” and conduct probe against bureaucrats besides granting financial and administrative autonomy for its effective functioning.
The Lokayukta had recommended to President Pratibha Patil to sack Chouhan for trying to protect a leading resort in a tax evasion case putting the city government in a tight spot.
“The chief minister should view this institution as one which can be used to help her to make the government conform to ethics and probity rather than look the other way. A good political executive will always find the Lokayukta an ally,” he told PTI in an interview.
“In the Delhi Act, there is no power for search and seizure. Suppose you are investigating a case of disproportionate asset, you at times need to act quickly to ensure that the evidence is not taken away,” he said.
—PTI