High Court issues notice of motion to respondents
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 02 2012:
A Division Bench of Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench has issued a notice of motion returnable within four weeks in a PIL filed for issuance of a writ in the nature of quo waranto or any other appropriate writ or order or declaration declaring that the recommendation of Ch Birendra Singh as Information Commissioner as non-est in law and to quash his appointment as Information Commissioner, MIC .
The PIL was filed jointly by Ayekpam Keshorjit of Haobam Marak Irom Leikai and Mutum Maipakpi of Kongpal Mutum Leikai at the active initiative of Human Rights Law Network (Manipur) .
According to a statement issued by the Director of HRLN, Meihoubam Rakesh, the petitioners contended that Ch Birendra Singh had illegally appointed 28 LDCs in the Revenue Department while he was serving as the Revenue Commissioner.
Following an investigation by the State Vigilance Commission, it was recommended that the 28 LDCs be removed/terminated in 2008.Thereafter, the High Powered Committee constituted under MPS Personal Liability Act, 2006 has seized the matter so as to fix responsibility for causing lost of Rs 2,97,87,864 from the State exchequer.
Contending that Manipur Information Commission is an 'integrity institution' which is created under RTI Act, 2005, the petitioners postulated that Ch Birendra, who was involved in appointment of 28 LDCs illegally by corrupt means, would jeopardise the very basic foundation of an integrity institution, MIC.
They also contended that it also hampers the functioning of the Commission and ultimately affects the information seekers, who approached the Commission for ventilating their grievances.
The petitioners have preferred the writ petition in the form of PIL thereby questioning the legality of the recommendation and appointment of Ch Birendra as IC .
Advocate Laimayum Sevananda Sharma appeared on behalf of the petitioners.