Punjab Congress rejects Justice Sekhon as Lokpal

by Punjabnewswire4u

 CHANDIGARH, NOV 10

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today rejected the appointment of Justice (rtd) JS Sekhon as the Punjab Lokpal saying it was a pure political appointment done with purely political purposes and defies the very spirit of the Lokpal Act.

   Capt Amarinder expressed apprehension that the institution of Lokpal under Justice Sekhon, whose Akali affiliations are too well known and who is a close relative of the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, will be misused for political purposes and settling scores with the political opponents, particularly the Congress.

     Besides, he added, the central Lokpal Act, which has already been passed by the Lok Sabha and is to be passed by the Rajya Sabha, stipulates that the Leader of Opposition should be part of the process to select the Lok Pal and Punjab government did not follow it.

      The PCC President pointed out, Justice Sekhon belongs to a hardcore Akali family. His brother Janmeja Singh Sekhon, he said, is an Akali minister in the government headed by Parkash Singh Badal. “Such person with pronounced political affiliations cannot be and must not be allowed to head a constitutional body”, he argued while adding, there is no guarantee that his political loyalty towards Akali Dal will not influence his working as the Punjab Lokpal.

      Moreover, he added, Justice Sekhon was the Chief Commissioner Gurdwara Elections Commission also again an appointee of Mr Badal. “Given his background which leaves hardly any scope for doubt about his political affiliations and inclinations it is not possible to expect him to act in a fair, impartial and apolitical manner”, he remarked, while adding, he was a close relative of Mr Badal.

    Asserting that the Punjab government must review the decision to appoint Justice Sekhon as the Lokpal, Capt Amarinder said, his appointment defies the very spirit of the institution of Lokpal. He observed, such posts must not be politicized and should be filled with the people who do not have any known and pronounced political affiliations.