Chapter IX REMOVAL OF CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS

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45. Removal and suspension of Chairperson and Members.

Statutory text

(1) The Lokayukta shall not inquire into any complaint made against the Chairperson or any Member.
(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (4), the Chairperson or any Member shall be removed from his office by order of the Governor on grounds of misbehaviour after the High Court, on a reference being made to it, by the Governor on a petition being signed by at least seventy-five members of the Maharashtra State Legislature has, on an inquiry held in accordance with the procedure prescribed in that behalf, reported that the Chairperson or such Member, as the case may be, ought to be removed on such ground.
(3) The Governor may suspend from office the Chairperson or any Member in respect of whom a reference has been made to the High Court under sub-section (2), on receipt of the recommendation or interim order made by the High Court in this regard until the Governor has passed orders on receipt of the final report of the High Court on such reference.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), the Governor may, by order, remove from the office, the Chairperson or any Member if the Chairperson or such Member, as the case may be,-
- (a) is adjudged an insolvent; or
- (b) if in the opinion of the Governor, is guilty of an offence involving moral turpitude;
- (c) engages, during his term of office, in any paid employment outside the duties of his office; or
- (d) is, in the opinion of the Governor, unfit to continue in office by reason of infirmity of mind or body.
(5) If the Chairperson or any Member is, or becomes, in any way concerned or interested in any contract or agreement made by or on behalf of the State Government or participates in any way in the profit thereof or in any benefit or emolument arising therefrom otherwise than as a member and in common with the other members of an incorporated company, he shall, for the purposes of sub-section (2), be deemed to be guilty of misbehaviour.

Chapter IX REMOVAL OF CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS

46. Complaints against officials of Lokayukta.

Statutory text

(1) Every complaint of allegation or wrong doing made against any officer or employee or State Agency under or associated with the Lokayukta for an offence punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988) shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(2) The Lokayukta shall complete the inquiry into the complaint or allegation made within a period of thirty days from the date of its receipt.
(3) While making an inquiry into the complaint against any officer or employee of the Lokayukta or State Agency engaged or associated with the Lokayukta, if it is prima facie satisfied on the basis of evidence available, that,-
- (a) continuance of such officer or employee of the Lokayukta or State Agency engaged or associated in his post while conducting the inquiry is likely to affect such inquiry adversely; or
- (b) an officer or employee of the Lokayukta or State Agency engaged or associated with Lokayukta is likely to destroy or in any way tamper with the evidence or influence witnesses, then, the Lokayukta may, by order, suspend such officer or employee of the Lokayukta or divest such State Agency engaged or associated with the Lokayukta of all powers and responsibilities hereto before exercised by it.
(4) On the completion of the inquiry, if the Lokayukta is satisfied that there is prima facie evidence of the commission of an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988) or of any wrong doing, it shall, within a period of fifteen days of the completion of such inquiry, order to prosecute such officer or employee of the Lokayukta or such officer or employee of State Agency engaged or associated with the Lokayukta and initiate disciplinary proceedings against the official concerned: Provided that, no such order shall be passed without giving such officer or employee of the Lokayukta, or such officer or employee of State Agency engaged or associated with the Lokayukta, a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

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