HC seeks clarification in UP information commissioner appointments

Lucknow, Dec 20 (UNI) The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court today, hearing a PIL against the appointment of four local advocates to the post of state information commissioner, sought clarification from the Uttar Pradesh government.

The order was passed by Justices A N Verma and S N Chauhan on a litigation filed by one Sanjay Kumar.

The bench has fixed January 16 as the next hearing date.

Besides, the court ordered that the appointed advocates should be made party in the case.

According to prosecution, on July 10, 2007 four local advocates --Sunil Kumar Chaudhary, Subhash Chandra Pandey, Ram Saran Awasthi and Brijesh Kumar Mishra -- all of same chamber, were appointed to the post of UP information commissioner by the state government.

As per the Right to Information Act, the assent of leader of opposition in the state was essential before these appointments.

Senior advocate and Member of Legislative Council Virendra Bhatia demanded the cancellation of above appointments as no assent was taken for them.

UNI