In
a major development, an NGO challenged
juridiction of Justice MB Shah
commission and demanded immediate winding up of proceedings, which it claims
can be heard only by the Lokayukta of the state.
The
MB Shah commission has been formed by
the state government to inquire in to the 15 charges of alleged corruption of
millions of rupees by the state
government by favouring industrial
houses. the commission started hearing
the case of allocating land to the adani
group at throw away prices in Kutch.
During
the hearing on thursday, Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) submitted a memorandum
to the commission that, such charges of corruption by the government cannot be
probed by the one-man commission, headed
by the Supreme court’s retired judge, MB Shah.
“We
have moved a representation before the commission that 15 charges of
alleged corruption can only be probed by the Lokayukta. it does not
fall under the jurisdiction of the
commission formed by the state
government in august last year,” said
Gautam thakar, a member of the PUCL. “We have also demanded the
commission to stop all
proceedings immediately and not to show undue haste in concluding the
proceedings,” thakar added.
Another
member of PUCL and a social activist, Prakash Shah submitted a representation to the
commission through his lawyer ami yagnik. the commission sought reply from the state government and posted
further hearing on the matter till July 1.
Meanwhile,
special government counsel, Bhaskar tanna
said, “We have sought time from the
commission to file reply to the
representation filed by the NGO and we will
file a proper reply.” it is pertinent to
note that, constitutional deadlock had been created when the state
governor Dr Kamla had
appointed justice (retired) Ra Mehta nas
the Lokayukta without consulting the
council of ministers. Government
challenged the action before the Gujarat high court which ruled in
favour of the governor. the matter is
now pending before the Supreme Court as
the government has filed an appeal. the
state government has not appointed Lokayukta in the state for the last
eight years after justice (retired) SM Soni was relieved from charge.
