Maharashtra Lokayukta

2025-07-28T07:25:13Z

103.157.123.97:

{{Short description|Anti-corruption Ombudsman for the state of Maharastra}}
{{Multiple issues|{{Cleanup|reason=Shouldn't much of this just link to the general article[[:Lokayukta]]?|date=September 2021}}
{{Cleanup-PR|1=article|date=September 2021}}}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
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| constitution1 = [https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/16709/1/35._the_mah._lokayukta_and_upa_lokayuktas_act_1971.pdf Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act]
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| headquarters = New Administrative Building, 1st Floor, Madam Kama Marg, Opposite Mantralaya, [[Mumbai]], [[India]]<ref name="punedistrict.com - Vigilance">{{cite web|title=punedistrict.com - Vigilance|url=http://www.punedistrict.com/vigilance.php|publisher=punedistrict.com|accessdate=15 March 2013}}</ref>
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| chief1name = Hon. Shri V M Kanade, Lokayukta of Maharashtra .<ref>{{cite web |title=Lokayukta Maharashtra |url=https://lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in/1107/About-Us |website=lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in |access-date=4 July 2021}}</ref>
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The State of Maharashtra is the first and pioneer State in India to introduce the concept of Lokayukta by enacting the Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act, 1971 in view of the recommendations made by the [[Administrative Reforms Commission]] headed by Late Shri Morarji Desai in 1966. The '''Maharashtra Lokayukta''' is an apex statutory functionary in the [[State of Maharashtra]], independent of the governing political and public administration, created to address the grievances of the people against the [[Govt. of Maharashtra]] and its administration. [[Lokayukta]], the Indian equivalent of the [[Parliamentary Ombudsman]] was first established in the State of Maharashtra in 1972. It was established through ''The Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act, 1971. '' (Although, [[Odisha]] was the first state to pass the act in 1970, it was implemented there only in 1983 when it nominated its first lokayukta).<ref name="Maharashtra Lokayukta Act - English and Marathi">{{cite web |title=Maharashtra Lokayukta Act English and Marathi |url=https://lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/Common/ViewPdfList.aspx?Doctype=28679782-9D8D-4854-B8A4-F95E44815896 |website=lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in |access-date=16 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="The Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act, 1971">{{cite web |title=Maharashtra Lokayukta Act |url=https://lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/Upload/GR/The_Maharashtra_Lokayukta_and_Upa-Lokayuktas_Rules__1974.pdf |access-date=16 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="Lokayukta a 'paper tiger' in Anna's home state">{{cite news|title=Lokayukta a 'paper tiger' in Anna's home state|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Lokayukta-a-paper-tiger-in-Annas-home-state/articleshow/9643506.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021132327/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-18/mumbai/29900222_1_upa-lokayukta-powers-report|url-status=live|archive-date=21 October 2011|access-date=6 November 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=18 August 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lokayukta Maharashtra |url=https://lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in/1107/About-Us |website=lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in |access-date=3 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="What is Lokayukta">{{cite web | title=Lokayukta |url=https://www.insightsonindia.com/2020/08/25/lokayukta/ |website=INSIGHTSIAS |access-date=8 July 2021 |date=25 August 2020}}</ref>

The Governor appoints the Lokayukta after due consultations with Chief Justice of the [[Bombay High Court]] and [[Leader of the Opposition (India)|Leader of Opposition]] in the [[Maharashtra Legislative Assembly]]. Upa-Lokayukta is appointed after consultation with the Lokayukta. Once appointed, Lokayuka or Upa-Lokayukta can remain in office for a term of five years.<ref name="The Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act, 1971">{{cite web |title=Maharashtra Lokayukta Act |url=https://lokayukta.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/Upload/GR/The_Maharashtra_Lokayukta_and_Upa-Lokayuktas_Rules__1974.pdf |access-date=16 July 2021}}</ref>

== Appointment and tenure ==
Following is the list of Lokayuktas for Maharashtra:<ref>{{cite journal |jstor=43950890|title=A Balance-Sheet of State Lokayuktas|last1=Gupta|first1=Balram K.|journal=Journal of the Indian Law Institute|year=1984|volume=26|issue=1/2|pages=122–144}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Index !!Name !! Holding charge from !! Holding charge to
|-
| 1
| S. P. Kotwal
| 25 October 1972
| 24 October 1977
|-
| 2
| L. M. Nadkarni
| 25 October 1977
| 1 January 1978
|-
| 3
| A. R. Shimpi
| 2 January 1978
| 25 January 1979
|-
| 4
| S. V. Bhave
| 26 January 1979
| 5 September 1979
|-
| 5
| N. D. Kamath
| 6 September 1979
| to be updated
|-
|}

V. M. Kanade appointed as Lokayukta in 2021

== Removal ==
Lokayuka or Upa-Lokayukta can be removed from his office through the process of [[impeachment]]. The removal can only be on the grounds of misbehavior or incapacity and no other grounds. The procedure for removal is as per Article 311 of [[Constitution of India]].<ref name="The Maharashtra Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayuktas Act, 1971"/>

== Notable cases ==
* In April 2021, the state Lokayukta had asked for a report from the principal secretary (housing) and Chairman of [[Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority|Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority]] (Mhada) on allegation of land encroachment against one of the ministers in the state Government.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Clara |title=Mumbai: Lokayukta seeks report on plaint against Anil Parab {{!}} Mumbai News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/mumbai-lokayukta-seeks-report-on-plaint-against-parab/articleshow/82188487.cms |access-date=22 August 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=22 April 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

* In May 2021, state governor had referred to Lokayukta of the alleged wrong practices followed in e-ticketing tenders of MSRTC for investigation and appropriate action.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sen |first1=Somit |title=Maharashtra governor forwards 'MSRTC scam' letter to Lokayukta {{!}} Mumbai News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maharashtra-governor-forwards-msrtc-scam-letter-to-lokayukta/articleshow/83001172.cms |access-date=22 August 2021 |work=The Times of India |date=27 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

* The institution received around 23,718 complaints for investigation from January 2015 to June 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deshpande |first1=Alok |title=Lokayukta gets 23,718 complaints in five years, recommends action in 364 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/lokayukta-gets-23718-complaints-in-five-years-recommends-action-in-364/article30398654.ece |access-date=22 August 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=26 December 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

== Powers ==
Any citizen can make his/her complaints of corruption directly to the Lokayukta against any government official or elected representative. Lokayukta's power varies from State to State. In some States, the Lokayukta inquires into allegations against public functionaries including [[Chief minister|Chief Minister]], Ministers and [[Member of the Legislative Assembly|MLAs]]. While some has the power to investigate into civil servants/bureaucrats, judiciary and police.{{fact|date=August 2024}}

In year 2019, [[Maharashtra]] [[Government]] brought the [[Chief Minister]]'s office under the purview of this institution.<ref name="Maha Lok Ref1">{{cite news |title=Maharashtra govt brings CMO under Lokayukta |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/300119/maharashtra-brings-cmo-under-lokayukta.html |access-date=21 August 2021 |publisher=Deccan Chronicle |date=30 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

The state also introduced online complaint facility service for the public.<ref>{{cite news |title=Only four states have appointed judicial, non-judicial members of Lokayukta, says report |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/only-four-states-have-appointed-judicial-non-judicial-members-of-lokayukta-says-report/articleshow/79627314.cms?from=mdr |access-date=26 August 2021 |publisher=The Economic Times |date=8 December 2020}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta]]
* [[Karnataka Lokayukta]]
* [[Goa Lokayukta]]
* [[Assam Lokayukta]]
* [[Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta]]
* [[Telangana Lokayukta]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Lokayukta}}
{{State agencies of Maharashtra}}
{{Corruption in India}}

[[Category:Lokayuktas]]
[[Category:Government of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:1971 establishments in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1971]]

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Maharashtra Lokayukta