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Showing contexts for: public functionaries in Dr.Hemixaben Vishnuprasad Rao vs Registrar on 4 February, 2016Matching Fragments
3.4 As far as challenge to the bailable warrant is concerned, even according to the learned advocate for the petitioner, the same does not survive any more as the petitioner has thereafter appeared before the Lokayukta.
4. Mr. Jal S. Unwala, learned advocate for the petitioner has taken this Court through the factual matrix as well as the grounds raised in the petition. The learned advocate for the petitioner has referred to Sections 2(1), 2(2), 2(7), 7, 8, 9(2), 11(2), 11(5) and 11(6) of the Lokayukta Act and Sections 10, 11, 19, 20(xxvi) and 20(5) of the Hemchandracharya North Gujarat HC-NIC Page 7 of 43 Created On Fri Feb 05 02:53:52 IST 2016 C/SCA/18865/2015 JUDGMENT University Act, 1986 (hereinafter referred to as "the 1986 Act") and has contended as under: [a] It was contended that Section 2(7)(d) specifically includes only the Vice Chancellor as a public functionary and not the University. It was contended that the said provision incorporates the individual decision and not a collective decision of the Council. It was further contended that the intention of the legislature was not to bring within its purview the decision taken by the Executive Council of the University and therefore, the legislature has deliberately excluded the University or Council and therefore, any collective decision where the petitioner is party as ExOfficio Chairman or a Vice Chancellor cannot be called into question as an action is defined under Section 2(1) of the Lokayukta Act and in her individual capacity as Vice Chancellor. [b] It was contended that as provided under Section 2(1) of the Lokayukta Act, what is provided is HC-NIC Page 8 of 43 Created On Fri Feb 05 02:53:52 IST 2016 C/SCA/18865/2015 JUDGMENT an action by the person in his or her individual capacity as Vice Chancellor and not an action taken by her as Chairman of the Executive Council.
2(2) "allegation" in relation to a public functionary and with reference to any action taken by him, means any affirmation that such public functionary in his capacity as a public functionary
(a) is guilty of corruption, or lack of integrity; or
(b) was actuated in the discharge of his functions by personal interest or improper or corrupt motives; or
(4) An investigation under this section of an action taken by or with the general or specific approval of a public functionary shall not be affected merely on the ground that subsequent to such action such public functionary ceased to hold the capacity in which the action was taken by him or with his approval or ceased to be such public functionary.
9. Whether the respondent acted as Public Functionary while taking actions as aforesaid?
10. Whether the acts/omissions on the part of the respondent amount to "action" within the meaning of section 2(1) and 2(2) of the Gujarat Lokayukta Act, 1986."
16. Therefore, it clearly bornes out that Lokayukta has also formulated points to the effect which concerns the provisions of the Lokayukta Act which is relied upon by the learned advocate HC-NIC Page 38 of 43 Created On Fri Feb 05 02:53:52 IST 2016 C/SCA/18865/2015 JUDGMENT for the petitioner, more particularly, Sections 2(1), 2(2) and 2(7)(d). Ms. Shah has rightly contended that the provisions of Section 11 which provides for the manner of evidence as circumscribed for the purposes which are mentioned in Sections 11(2), 11(5) and 11(6). In opinion of this Court, the Lokayukta is free to follow its own procedure which are in fact provided under the provisions of the Lokayukta Act and the Rules and Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 as a whole would not apply stricto senso to the proceedings before the Lokayukta under the provisions of the Lokayukta Act. The legislature in its wisdom has provided for certain powers which are provided in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 and the same is not illustrative, but definite. Over and above the powers which are vested in Lokayukta under Section 11 of the Lokayukta Act, the Lokayukta is free to adopt his own procedure. Section 10 of the Lokayukta Act also makes it clear as to what procedure the Lokayukta has to follow when HC-NIC Page 39 of 43 Created On Fri Feb 05 02:53:52 IST 2016 C/SCA/18865/2015 JUDGMENT the Lokayukta decides to conduct and investigate under the Lokayukta Act. On reading the complaint which is forming part of the record of the petition, as the allegations leveled against the petitioner also relate to her action as ExOfficio Chairman in her capacity as Vice Chancellor, in the primafacie opinion of this Court, it cannot be said that the complaint is not against the public functionary, but against the University and the Executive Council of the University. Suffice it to say that in the complaint itself, the petitioner is named. Therefore, it cannot be said that while acting as Chairman of the Executive Council, the petitioner ceases to be the Vice Chancellor of the University. As observed hereinabove, the Lokayukta has formulated points for determination which also includes the points which are raised in the preliminary application which was filed and which has been rejected. Considering the provisions of the Lokayukta Act and the HC-NIC Page 40 of 43 Created On Fri Feb 05 02:53:52 IST 2016 C/SCA/18865/2015 JUDGMENT purpose, objects and reasons of the Lokayukta Act, enough safeguard is provided and it cannot be said that the impugned order, rejecting the application filed by the petitioner to decide the question of jurisdiction and as a preliminary issue, is erroneous. Even at the cost of repetition, it deserves to be noted that the points of determination are so elaborate and wide enough that the investigation by the Lokayukta would not prejudice the petitioner in any manner. Considering the provisions of Section 16 of the Lokayukta Act and the Rules, this Court is of the opinion that this is not a fit case, wherein respondent No.1 is required to be directed to give certified copy of the order dated 30.9.2015. In facts and circumstances of the case, this Court is not called upon to embark upon any inquiry into validity of the order passed by the Tribunal and therefore, the pendency of two Writ Petitions challenging the order of the Tribunal would not be affected.