The Delhi Lokayukta and Uplokayukta Act, 1995

This Act may be called the The Delhi Lokayukta and Uplokayukta Act, 1995. It extends to the whole of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise require- (a) "action" means action by way of prosecution or otherwise taken on the report of the Lokayukta or the Upalokayukta and includes failure to act; and all other expressions connecting such action shall be construed accordingly. (b) "allegation" in relation to a public functionary means by affirmation that such public functionary in capacity as such: - (i) has failed to act in accordance with the norms of integrity and conduct which ought to be followed by the public functionaries or the class to which he belongs; (ii) has abused or misused his position to obtain any gain or favour to himself or to any other person or to cause loss or undue harm or hardship to any other person; (iii) was actuated in the discharge of his functions as such public functionary by improper or corrupt motives or personal interest; (iv) is or has at any time during the period of his office been in possession of pecuniary resources or property disproportionate to his known resources of income whether such pecuniary resources or property are held by the public functionary personally or by any member of his family or by some other person on his behalf; Explanation :- For the purpose of this sub-clause "family" means husband, wife, son and unmarried daughters living jointly with him. (c) "Upalokayukta" means a person appointed as an Upalokayukta under section 3. (d) "Public functionary" means: - (a) the Chief Minister or a Minister; (b) a Member of Legislative Assembly; (c) a person having the rank of a Minister but shall not include Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly; (d) a Chairman, Vice-Chairman or Managing Director or a Member of a Board of Directors (by Whatever name they be called) in respect of: - (da) an Apex Co-operative Society or any Co-operative Society constituted or registered under the Delhi Co-operative Societies Act, 1972, which is subject to the control of the Government; (db) a Government Company within the meaning of section 617 of the Companies Act, 1956, engaged in connection with the affairs, and is under the control of the Government; (dc) a Local Authority established under any law in relation to Delhi; provided that the provisions of this Act shall not be applicable to any authority of a Local Authority constituted under an enactment relatable to Entry No.18 of the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution; (dd) a Corporation engaged in connection with the affairs, and under the control, of the Government; (de) any Commission or body set up by the Government which is owned and controlled by it; (e) a Member of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi as defined in clause 2(27) of the Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 (as amended in 1993).

For the purpose of conducting investigations and inquiries in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the Lieutenant Governor shall, with the prior approval of the President, appoint a person to be known as the Lokayukta and one or more persons to be known as Upalokayukta; Provided that the Upalokayukta shall be appointed in consultation with the Lokayukta. A person shall not be qualified for appointment as: - (a) the Lokayukta, unless he is or has been Chief Justice of any High Court in India, or a Judge of a High Court for seven years; (b) an Upalokayukta, unless he is or has been a Secretary to the Government or a District Judge in Delhi for seven years or has held the post of a Joint Secretary to the Government of India. Every person appointed as Lokayukta or Upalokayukta shall, before entering upon his office, make and subscribe before the Lieutenant Governor or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation in the form set out for the purpose in the First Schedule.

The Lokayukta or Upalokayukta shall not be a member of Parliament or a member of the Legislative of any State or Union Territory and shall not hold any other office of profit and shall not be connected with any political party or be carrying on any business or practice any profession; and accordingly before he enters upon his office, the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta, as the case may be, shall: - (i) if he is practicing any profession, suspend practice; (ii) if he is carrying on any business, severe his connection (short of divesting himself of ownership) with the conduct and management of such office; (iii) if he is connected with any political party, severe his connection with it; or (iv) if he holds any office of profit, resign from such office; or (v) if he is a member of Parliament or of the Legislative of any State or Union Territory, resign such membership.

Every person appointed as Lokayukta or Upalokayukta shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office and not be eligible for re-appointment thereafter. Provided that: - (i) Lokayukta or Upalokayukta may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Lieutenant Governor, resign his office and such resignation shall be effective as soon as it is accepted by the Lieutenant Governor; (ii) There shall be paid to the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta such salaries as are specified in the Second Schedule. (iii) The allowances and pension payable to, and other conditions of service of, Lokayukta or Upalokayukta shall be such as may be prescribed; Provided further that in prescribing the allowances and pension payable to, and other conditions of service of, Lokayukta, regard shall be had to the allowances and pensions payable to, and other conditions of service of, Chief Justice or a Judge of a High Court as the case may be; Provided further that in prescribing the allowances and pension payable to, and other conditions of service of Upalokayukta regard shall be had to the allowances and pension payable to, and other conditions of service of a District Judge in Delhi or a Secretary to the Government or a Joint Secretary to the Government of India, as the case may be. Provided further that the allowances and pension payable to, and other conditions of service of, the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment. In the event of occurrence of any vacancy in the office of the Lokayukta by reason of his death, resignation, removal or otherwise, the Upalokayukta or if there are more than one then such one of them as the Lieutenant Governor may, by order, direct, shall not withstanding anything contained in clause (a) of sub-section (2) of Section 3, act as Lokayukta until the date a new Lokayukta appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Act to fill such vacancy enters upon his office. When the Lokayukta is unable to discharge his functions owing to absence, illness or any other cause, the Upalokayukta or if there are more than one then such one of them as the Lieutenant Governor may, by order, direct, shall not withstanding anything contained in clause (a) of sub-section (2) of Section 3, discharge his functions until the date the Lokayukta resumes his duties. The Upalokayukta shall, during and in respect of the period while he is so acting as or discharging the functions of Lokayukta, have all the powers and immunities of the Lokayukta and be entitled to salary, allowances and perquisites as are specified in the Second Schedule in relation to Lokayukta. A vacancy occurring in the office of the Lokayukta or an Upalokayukta by reason of his death, resignation or otherwise shall be filled in as soon as possible but not later then six months from the date of occurrence of vacancy. On ceasing to hold office, the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta shall be ineligible for further appointment as the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta in any employment under Government or for any employment under any such Government Company, local authority, corporation under the administrative control of the Government or Statutory Commissions set up by the Government as is referred to in sub-clause (iv) of clause (m) of Section 2. The Upalokayukta shall be subject to the administrative control of the Lokayukta and in particular, for the purpose of convenience of disposal of investigation under the Act, the Lokayukta may issue such general or special direction as he may consider necessary to the Upalokayukta and may withdraw to himself or make over any case from him if to an Upalokayukta or from one Upalokayukta to another Upalokayukta for disposal; Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall be construed to authorize the Lokayukta to question any finding, conclusion, recommendation of an Upalokayukta.

The Lokayukta or Upalokayukta shall not be removed from his office except by an order of the Lieutenant Governor passed, with the prior approval of the President and after an address by the Legislative Assembly supported by a majority of the total membership of the legislative Assembly and by a majority not less than two thirds of the members there of present and voting has been presented to the Lieutenant Governor in the same session for such removal on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity. The procedure for the presentation of an address and for the investigation and proof of the misbehavior or incapacity of the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta under sub-section (1) shall be as provided in the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 (51 of 1968), in relation to the removal of a Judge and accordingly, the provisions of that Act shall, subject to necessary modifications, apply in relation to the removal of the Lokayukta or Upalokayukta as they apply in relation to the removal of Judge.

The administrative expenses of the office of the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta including all salaries, allowances and pension payable to or in respect of persons serving in that office, shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund of Delhi.

In pursuance of sub-section 2 of section 13 or suo moto: - (a) The Lokayukta may proceed to inquire into an allegation made against a public functionary in relation to whom either the President or Lieutenant Governor is the competent authority; (b) The Upalokayukta may proceed to inquire into an allegation made against any public functionary other than that referred to in clause (a); Provided that the Lokayukta may inquire into an allegation made against any public functionary referred to in clause (b). Explanation :- For the purposes of this section the expressions "may proceed to inquire" and "may inquire" include investigation by any person or agency at the disposal of the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta in accordance with the rules made under this Act.

The Lokayukta or an Upalokayukta shall not inquire into any matter: - (a) which has been referred to inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952); or (b) relating to an allegation against a public functionary, if the complaint is made after expiration of a period of five years from the date on which the conduct complained against is alleged to have been committed.

Every complaint Involving an allegation shall be made In such formas may be prescribed and shall be ^bmpanied by a deposit of Rs. 20,000 (Five hundred rupees). The complainant shall also swear an affidavit In such form as may be prescribed before any office authorized by the Lokayukta In this behalf. Not withstanding anything contained In Section 10 or any other provlslonof this Act, every person who Will fully or maliciously makes any falsecomplaint under this Act,shall, on conviction, be punished with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to three years or with f ne which mayextend to five thousand rupees orwith both and the court may order that out of the amount of fine such sum as it may deem fit be paid by way of compensation to the person against whom such complaint was made. Provided that no court shall take cognizance ot an offence punishable under this section except on a complaint made by or under the authority of the Lqkayukta or Upalokayukta, as the case may be; Provided further that the complaint made under the signature and seal of Lokayukta or Upalokayukta shall be deemed as formally proved and the evidence of Lokayukta and Upalokayukta shall not be necessary for the purpose.

The Lokayukta or Upalokayukta shall, In each case before it, decide the procedure to be followed formaking the Inquiry and in so doing ensure that the principles of natural justice aresatisfied.

The provisions of the Evidence Act. 1872 (1 of 1872), and the code ofCrlminal Procedure. 1973 (2 of1974), shall as nearly as may be, apply to the procedure of Inquiry before Lokayukta or Upalokayukta in the matter

Any Information obtained by the Lokayukta or tha UpalokayuMa or members of their staff in the course of or for the purposes of any investigation under this Act andany evidence recorded or collected in connection with such information shall betreated as confidential and notwithstanding anything containedm the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872), nocourt shall be entitled to compelthe Lokavukta or an Upalokayukta or anypubllc functionary to give evldencerelating to such information or producethe evident* so reported or collected. Nothingin sub-section (1) shall apply to foe disclosure ofany information or particulars: a. for purposes of the inquiry or in any report to be made there iai or for any action orpvoceedings to be taken on such report; or b. for purposes of any proceedings for an offence under the Official Secret Act,1923 (19 of 1923), or any offence of giving or fabricating false evidence under the Indian Penal Code or for purposes of any proceedings undersectlon 15; or e. for such other purposes as may be prescribed. An officer or other authority prescribed in this behalf rnay givenotice in writing to the Lokayuktaor an Upalokayukta, as the case may be,with respect to any document orinformation specified in the notice or any class of documents so specified that in the opinion of the Government the disclosure of the documents or information or documents or informationof that class would be contrary to public interest and where such a noticeis given, nothing in this Act.shall be construed as authorizing orrequiring the Lokayukta, the Upalokayukta or any member of their staff to communicate to any person any document or information specified in the notice or any document or information of a class so specified.

The Government shall in consultation with the Lokayukta,provide officers and other employees to assist the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta in the discharge of their functions under this Act. without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Lokayuktaor an Upalokayukta may, for the purpose of conducting inquiries under this Act, utilize thi a.any officer on Investigation agency of the Government er the Central Government,with the concurrence of that Government, or b.any other person or agericy.

#after inquiry Into the allegations, the Lokayukta or an Upalokayukta is satisfied that sueh allegation is established, he shall, by reportin writing, communicate his findings and recommendations along with the relevant documents, materials and other evidence to the competent authority The competent euthorlty shall examine the report forwarded to it under sub-section (1) and Intimate, within three months of the date of receipt of the report, the Lokayukta or, as the case may be, the Upalokayukta, the action taken or proposed to betaken on the basis of the report. If the Lokayukta or the Upelokayukta Is satisfied with the action taken or proposed to be taken on his recommendations, he shall close the case under Information to ttiecomplainant, the public functionary and the competent authority concerned.ln any other case, If he considers that the case so deserves, he may make a special report upon the case to the Lieutenant Governor and also inform the complainant concerned. The Lokayukta and the Upalokayukta shall present annually a consolidated report on the performance of their functions under this Act, to the Lieutenant Governor. If in any special report under sub-section (3) or the annua I^port under sub-section (4) anyadverse comment is made against any public functionary, such report shall also contain the substance of the defence adduced by such public functionary and the comments made there on by oron behalf of the Government or the public authority concerned, as the case may be. On receipt of a special report under sub-section (3). or the annual report under sub-section(4), the Lieutenant Governor shall cause a copy there of together with an explanatory memorandum to be laid before Legislative Assembly Subject to the provisions of section 10, the Lokayukta may at his discretion make available fronts me to time, the substance of cases closed or otherwise disposed of by him, or by an Upalokayukta, which may appear to him to be of general public, academic or professional Interest in such manner and to such persons ashe may deem appropriate.

If any difficulty arises in giving effect tothe provisions of this Act. the LieutenantGovemor may, by order as occasion requires, doanythlng which appears to him to be necessaryfbr the purpose of removing thedlfUculty; Provided that no such order shall be made alter the expiration of two years from the date of the commencement of this Act.

a. the authorities for the purposes required to be prescribed under sub-clause (B) of clause (d) of section 2; b- the allowances and pension payable to and other conditions of service of, the Lokayukta and Upalokayukta; c. the forms In which complaints may be made or as the case may be, affidavits may be sworn; d,anyother matter which is to be or may be prescribed in respect of which this Act makes no provision or makes insufficient provision and provision is in the opinion of the Lieutenant Governor necessary for the proper implementation ot this Act. e.Every rule made under this Act and every order issued under section 21 shall be laid as soon as may be after it is made or issued before the Legislative Assembly while it is in session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions afore said, the House agrees in making any modification in the rule or order or the House agrees that the rule or order should not be made or issued, the rule or order, shall there after have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule or order.

Provided that if the Lokayukta or an Upaiokayukta at the time ot his appointment is in receipt of a pension (other than a disability or wound pension) In respect of any previous service under the Government of India or any of its predecessor Governments or under the Government of State or any of its predecessor Governments, his salary in respect of sendee as the Lokayukta, or as the case may be, Upaiokayukta, shall be reduced - (a)by the amount of that pension; and;! (b)if he has, before such appointment received in lieu of a portion of the pension due to him In respect of such previous service the commuted value thereof, by the amount of that portion of the pension. Upaiokayukta - Such salary (equivalent to the salary last drawn by the incumbent in his previous post) plus perquisites and allowances as are payable from time to time to- (i) a Secretary to the Government in case Upaiokayukta is appointed from amongst the Secretaries to the Government; (II) a District Judge in Delhi In case Upaiokayukta is appointed from amongst District Judges in Delhi; (iii) a Joint Secretary to the Government of India in case Upaiokayukta Is appointed from amongst the Joint Secretaries to the Government of India; The Second Schedule (i) a Chief Justice of a High Court In case Lokayukta is appointed from amongst Chief Justices of High Courts in India; (il) a Judge of a High Court in case Lokayukta is appointed from amongst Judges of High Courts in India;