Lokayukta takes 10 more districts from his deputy

BHOPAL: In a latest development, newly-appointed Lokayukta Justice N K Gupta has taken over 10 more districts from his deputy.
Justice Gupta had earlier allotted 40 districts to Up-Lokayukta Justice U C Maheshwari while keeping all major cities with himself. As per the Justice Gupta’s first order after joining, Justice Maheshwari was asked to look after complaint petitions from all districts of the state of Madhya Pradesh other than Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Indore, Rewa, Ujjain, Shahdol, Vidisha, Sehore, Shivpuri and Chhindwara.
As per previous order, “All the complaint petitions filed or presented in the Lokayukta, arising from Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Indore, Rewa, Ujjain, Shahdol, Vidisha, Sehore, Shivpuri and Chhindwara shall be placed before the Lokayukta and the complaint arising from other districts of the state of Madhya Pradesh shall be placed before Up-Lokayukta. Pending complaint petitions shall also be placed before Lokayukta or Up-Lokayukta as per the present order.” Cases pertaining to ministers and bureaucrats shall be placed before the Lokayukta.
In the latest development, Justice Gupta has kept 10 more districts, including Sagar, Hoshangabad, Umaria, among other districts with himself, sources said. Insiders say they are noticing a speedy disposal of cases since new Lokayukta’s appointment. Recently, the Supreme Court had issued a notice to the state government on a petition seeking laying of uniform guidelines for appointment of the state Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta.