Kejriwal, Jung to come face-to-face over selection of new Delhi Lokayukata

New Delhi: Delhi may have a new Lokayukta by the end of this month with Lt Governor Najeeb Jung set to hold a consultation featuring, among others, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday to select a candidate for the post.

Delhi government has sent names of three retired judges for the post of Lokayukta, which has been lying vacant since November, 2013, and one of the names may be finalised at the meeting which is to be also attended by the Chief Justice of High Court and the Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly.

Jung has sent a meeting notice to Chief Justice G Rohini, Kejriwal and leader of the Opposition Vijender Gupta in this regard.

"A meeting has been convened by Lt Governor on October 20 at 5.30 PM at the Lt Governor's Secretariat for consultation with the Delhi High Court Chief Justice, Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition regarding the appointment of Lokayukta in terms of Section 3 of the Delhi Lokayukta and Uplokayukta Act, 1995," SCL Das, secretary to the LG, said in the meeting notice.

AAP government has proposed three names -- retired Chief Justice of Orissa High Court Bilal Nazki, retired Chief Justice of Haryana and Punjab High Court Jasbir Singh and retired judge of Delhi High Court, Reva Khetrapal.

Sources said that the opposition leader in Delhi Assembly and the chief justice of Delhi High Court can recommend changes or suggest a different name.

As per Delhi Lokayukta and Uplokayukta Act, 1995, the Lokayukta is appointed after consultations among the chief justice of high court, the chief minister and the leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly.

BJP has sought to corner the AAP government alleging that it was delaying the appointment of Lokayukta.

The government had told high court in the last hearing that all steps will be taken to ensure that the Lokayukta was appointed by the end of October.

In August this year, former Law Commission Chairman and former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, AP Shah, had turned down the Kejriwal government's proposal to appoint him as the next Delhi Lokayukta.

Delhi's last Lokayukta, Justice (Retd) Manmohan Sarin, had relinquished office in November, 2013, following a five-year term.

As per the provisions of the Delhi Lokayukta and Uplokayukta Act, only a chief justice or a high court judge with seven years of experience are eligible for the Lokayukta's post.