HC stays Lok Ayukta proceedings against former minister

Kochi, Mar 1 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today stayed further proceedings against former minister K K Ramachandran and Industries Secretary T O Sooraj pending before the Lok Ayukta.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice V K Bali and Justice J B Koshy issued the interim stay order, while considering the petitions filed by Mr K K Ramachandran and Mr T O Sooraj separately.

The main challenge of Mr Ramachandran was that the suo-moto proceedings initiated against him by the Lok Ayukta was without jurisdiction. He submitted that the proceedings pending against him before the Lok Ayukta in the absence of a complaint in terms of section 9 of Lok Ayukta Act is arbitrary.

Mr Sooraj moved the High Court contending that the officers in All India Service did not come under the purview of Lok Ayukta Act and therefore the order of Lok Ayukta against him was ultra vires.

UNI XR ARC JN PM2005