AP Shah says no to Delhi Lokayukta post

New Delhi: Law Commission Chairman A P Shah has turned down Arvind Kejriwal government's proposal to appoint him as Delhi's next Lokayukta, a post which has been lying vacant since November 2013.

"I have declined the offer," Shah, who is the former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, told PTI here.

Delhi's last Lokayukta (state ombudsman) Justice (Retd) Manmohan Sarin had relinquished his charge in November 2013 after completing a five-year term.

The Delhi government had recently "sounded out" Justice Shah that his name is being proposed as the next Lokayukta.

Justice (Retd) Shah, whose term as the Chairman of the 20th Law Commission is coming to an end on August 31, refused to say anything further on the issue.

He was appointed the Chairman of the law panel in November, 2013.

As per the Delhi Lokayukta and Uplokayukta Act, the Lokayukta is appointed after consultation with the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court and the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.

There has been a debate on strengthening the Delhi Lokayukta Act to make the anti-corruption watchdog more powerful as the present system gives it only limited power in dealing with cases of corruption.