High court rejects Lok Ayukta Manipur's fresh plea
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 18 2022:
The court of justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh of Manipur High Court on Monday rejected the fresh writ petition filed by Lok Ayukta Manipur against government's non-implementation of its judgement passed on February 7 this year in connection with improper conduct of top officials of MSPCL in certain works.
The Lok Ayukta Manipur sought discussion of the case by a division bench of the high court but the court rejected the petition.
Meanwhile, hearing of the case challenging the February 7 judgement passed by the Lok Ayukta Manipur will be conducted on Tuesday.
Taking reference of writ petition case No 161 of 2022, the Lok Ayukta Manipur secretary filed a fresh writ petition MC (WPC) No 93 of 2022 but justice Ahanthem Bimol on Monday opined that writ petition existed already and a higher high court bench has been conducting hearing of the case.
Even though the case could be taken up at a division bench, the chief justice on March 7 ordered that the writ petition be discussed at a single bench and hence dismissed the fresh writ petition, justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh said in his order rejecting Lok Ayukta Manipur's prayer for taking up discussion of the case by a division bench of the high court.
Meanwhile, hearing of the three writ petitions (171 of 2022, 161 of 2022 and 168 of 2022) challenging the February 7 judgement of the Lok Ayukta Manipur will be held on Tuesday.
The judgement said that top officials of MSPCL did wrong on certain works and suggested removal from their posts with proper investigation by filing FIR.
During hearing of the three writ petitions held on April 12 at his court, justice Bimol enquired advocate general Manipur if there is any change in state government's decision taken on February 17, 2022 regarding February 7 judgement of the Lok Ayukta Manipur.
In response, advocate general Manipur placed before the court that there is no change in the state government's decision on the matter.
Mention may be made that Manipur government's decision taken on February 17, 2022 mentioned about government's inability to implement recommendation of the Lok Ayukta though acceptable of the same if not feasible on administrative reason as per Section 32 (2) of the Manipur Lok Ayukta Act, 2014 .
Government also made it clear to the Lok Ayukta that a total of Rs 9,45,80,605 was sanctioned for laying of 33KV line spanning 45km between New Changyang and Chakpikarong and MSPCL utilised Rs 4,26,82,165 in laying 4km-lomg line using Lilo configuration.
The remaining amount Rs 5,18,98,440 was utilised on purchase of materials for different sub stations with the approval of the authority concerned.
All the purchased materials remained intact and the same was mentioned in the report of the inspection team, the government had said and termed baseless of the allegations.