One petition challenging the Lokpal Provisions on Assets Declaration dismissed
17 Sep, 2014A bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat and Vipin Sanghi of the Delhi High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Baswa Nand challenging certain provisions of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act which make it mandatory for public servants to disclose assets of their spouses and children.
The bench refused to entertain the plea of the retired class II public servant on the grounds that:-
1. He has no locus standi to file the PIL.
2. He is not directly affected.
3. The authority, under the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, has not been set up so far.
Baswa Nand Baswa Nand retired after serving in the Revenue Department of Finance Ministry and had challenged the provisions of the Lokpal contending that they were violative of Fundamental rights. He had further contended that disclosure of the finances and other assets of spouses and children of public servants amounts to violation of their right to privacy, apart from posing a threat to their life and liberty.
A similar petition filed by Vinita Singla, an employee with a private IT firm and wife of a public servant, is pending with the Delhi.
For earlier report, please refer to the link - http://www.rtifoundationofindia.com/assets-spouse-not-be-made-public-under-lokpal-and#.VBmsIZSSwlA