Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday issued a notice to the Punjab govt on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking judicial intervention to address what has been described as a “complete vacuum” in the state’s anti-corruption framework, owing to the prolonged vacancy in the office of the Lokpal.A division bench headed by chief justice Sheel Nagu took cognisance of the PIL filed by Chandigarh resident Vishal Mehta, which highlighted that the post of Lokpal has remained vacant since Oct 8, 2025, following the retirement of the previous incumbent. The petition contended that the continued vacancy has rendered the Punjab Lokpal Act, 1996, effectively non-functional. The Lokpal is an independent statutory authority to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration against senior public functionaries.The PIL further pointed out that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state govt earlier abolished the Punjab Vigilance Commission, assuring that the Lokpal institution would be strengthened as the primary anti-corruption mechanism. However, despite public assurances by chief minister Bhagwant Mann in Oct 2025 that the appointment would be made “expeditiously,” no steps have been taken even after more than six months.The high court was also informed that in the absence of a Lokpal, citizens are left without an independent forum to raise grievances related to public contracts, recruitment processes and illegal mining, issues the petitioner claimed have recently affected the state. Describing the inaction as a violation of fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, the plea also invoked the doctrine of legitimate expectation.The petitioner has sought directions to the state authorities to initiate and complete the appointment of the Lokpal within a fixed timeframe of four weeks. The plea further sought directions to amend the Punjab Lokpal Act, 1996, or to frame appropriate rules to ensure timely appointments and prevent such vacancies in the future. MSID: 130167394 413 |
