Svetlanafvq at 10:57, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T10:57:52Z

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{{Use Indian English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname = Meghalaya Lokayukta
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| headquarters = Meghalaya Lokayukta, Shillong.
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| chief1name = Pranoy Kumar Musahary<ref name="Megha Lok Ref5" />
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'''Meghalaya Lokayukta''' is the [[Parliamentary Ombudsman]] for the state of [[Meghalaya]] ([[India]]). It is a high level statutory functionary, created to address grievances of the public against ministers, legislators, administration and public servants in issues related to misuse of power, mal-administration and corruption. It was first formed under the Meghalaya Lokayukta and Deputy Lokayukta Act-2014 and approved by the [[president of India]]. With [[The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013]] adopted by the [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]] coming into force on 16 January 2014, each state in India was required to appoint its [[Lokayukta]] within a year.<ref name="Bihar Lok Ref3">{{cite news |last1=Seetharaman |first1=G. |title=Delay in appointment of Lokpal & Lokayukta: Who will bell the graft? |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/why-there-is-no-lokpal-at-centre-and-lokayukta-in-many-states/articleshow/66570168.cms |access-date=5 September 2021 |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=10 November 2018}}</ref><ref name="Bihar Lok Ref4">{{cite news |title=Lok Sabha passes landmark Lokpal Bill |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/lok-sabha-passes-landmark-lokpal-bill/article20701403.ece1 |access-date=5 September 2021 |publisher=businessline |date=12 March 2018 |language=en}}</ref> A bench of Lokayukta should consist of judicial and non-judicial members.<ref name="Bihar Lok Ref5">{{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=5 September 2021 |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=8 December 2020}}</ref> An Upa-Lokayukta is a deputy to the Lokayukta<ref name="Hary Lok Ref1">{{cite news |title=No provision of advertising vacancies of Lokayukta: MP Govt |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/no-provision-of-advertising-vacancies-of-lokayukta-mp-govt/articleshow/50742053.cms |access-date=12 September 2021 |newspaper=The Economic Times |date=27 January 2016}}</ref> and assists in her or his work and acts as the in-charge Lokayukta in case the position fells vacant before time.

A [[Lokayukta]] of the state is appointed to office by the state [[Governor]] after consulting the committee consisting of State [[Chief Minister]], [[Speaker (politics)|Speaker]] of Legislative Assembly, [[Leader of Opposition]],<ref name="Hary Lok Ref1" /> or leader of largest opposition party in State Legislature, Chairman of Legislative Council and Leader of Opposition of Legislative Council and cannot be removed from office except for reasons specified in the Act and will serve the period of five years.

== History and administration ==

The Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill, 2014 was passed in the Meghalaya Assembly and was effective from 7 March 2014<ref name="Megha Lok Ref6" /> and will replace the older ones passed ten years back.<ref name="Megha Lok Ref3">{{cite news |title=Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill passed |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/meghalaya-lokayukta-bill-passed/article23095940.ece |access-date=19 September 2021 |publisher=businessline |date=14 December 2012 |language=en}}</ref> Meghalaya Lokayukta Act, 2014 was amended in 2021 giving state government powers to constitute Lokayukta as a single or multi-member body.<ref name="Megha Lok Ref4">{{cite news |title=Meghalaya Cabinet clears amendment to Meghalaya Lokayukta Act |url=https://thenortheasttoday.com/states/meghalaya/meghalaya-cabinet-clears-amendment-to-meghalaya-lokayukta/cid2512499.htm |access-date=19 September 2021 |publisher=thenortheasttoday.com |date=5 March 2021}}</ref> According to Lokayukta Act, Opposition leader in Assembly, any person from common public, association in state or organizations of state can file a formal complaint petition before it.<ref name="Megha Lok Ref5" /> It is constituted as five member team with judicial and non-judicial members.<ref name="Megha Lok Ref6" /> Meghalaya Government was recommended by the [[Supreme Court of India]] to appoint its first Lokayukta.<ref name="Megha Lok Ref6" /> Lokayukta of the state can pass order without inquiry.<ref name="Megha Lok Ref8" /> Lokayukta of the state is independent body and cannot be influenced by state Government.<ref name="Megha Lok Ref10">{{cite news |title=Meghalaya {{!}} Khliehriat Case: Lokayukta refuses to recall order, asks Govt not to interfere |url=https://thenortheasttoday.com/states/meghalaya/meghalaya-khliehriat-case-lokayukta-refuses-to-recall-order/cid2529210.htm |access-date=20 September 2021 |publisher=thenortheasttoday.com |date=31 January 2020}}</ref>

== Oath or affirmation ==

{{Blockquote|"I, <name>, having been appointed Lokayukta (or Upa-Lokayukta) do swear in the name of God (or solemnly affirm) that I will bear faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and I will duly and faithfully and to the best of my ability, knowledge and judgment perform the duties of my office without fear or favour, affection or ill-will."|First Schedule, Meghalaya Lokayukta and Deputy Lokayukta Act-2014}}

== Powers ==

Meghalaya Lokayukta has complete and exclusive authority for enquiring into allegations or complaints against the State Chief Minister, State Deputy Chief Minister, Ministers of the state Government, Leader of Opposition and Government officials<ref name="Megha Lok Ref9">{{cite news |title=First chairperson of Meghalaya Lokayukta sworn in |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/first-chairperson-of-meghalaya-lokayukta-sworn-in-118110600646_1.html |access-date=20 September 2021 |newspaper=Business Standard India |date=6 November 2018}}</ref><ref name="Megha Lok Ref8" /> but with a clause citing complaints for public interest the State Government can prevent its operational effectiveness.<ref name="Megha Lok Ref3" /> Lokayukta Act of the state which serves as its tool against corruption<ref name="Megha Lok Ref6" /> covers Chief Ministers, ex-Chief Ministers, Government officials, Ministers, IAS officers and all public servants including from local administration, police, and customs.<ref name="Megha Lok Ref10" />

== Appointment and tenure ==

Meghalaya Lokayukta got its first Chairperson as Pranoy Kumar Musahary,<ref name="Megha Lok Ref5" /><ref name="Megha Lok Ref9" /> a former judge of [[Gauhati High Court]].<ref name="Megha Lok Ref6">{{cite news |title=PK Musahary sworn in as Meghalaya Lokayukta Chairperson - Sentinelassam |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/meghalaya-news/pk-musahary-sworn-in-as-meghalaya-lokayukta-chairperson/ |access-date=20 September 2021 |publisher=sentinelassam.com |date=7 November 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

== Notable cases ==

In 2019, Meghalaya Lokayukta had directed that all employees of the State Government including their spouses and children should declare their assets and liabilities.<ref name="Megha Lok Ref2">{{cite news |title=Meghalaya Lokayukta asks govt officials to declare assets |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/meghalaya-lokayukta-asks-govt-officials-to-declare-assets/article29953550.ece |access-date=19 September 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=12 November 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

In 2018, Meghalaya Lokayukta had directed State Government to direct CBI probe regarding illegal mining of coal and its transportation from state.<ref name="Megha Lok Ref5">{{cite news |title=Lokayukta to Meghalaya: Recommend CBI probe in illegal coal mining case |url=https://www.eastmojo.com/meghalaya/2021/03/18/lokayukta-to-meghalaya-recommend-cbi-probe-in-illegal-coal-mining-case/ |access-date=20 September 2021 |publisher=EastMojo |date=18 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="Megha Lok Ref7">{{cite news |title=Meghalaya Lokayukta for CBI probe into coal scam |url=https://theshillongtimes.com/2021/03/18/meghalaya-lokayukta-for-cbi-probe-into-coal-scam/ |access-date=20 September 2021 |newspaper=The Shillong Times |date=18 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="Megha Lok Ref12">{{cite news |title=meghalaya lokayukta issues notices-to-cs-others-on-illegal mining transportation of coal |url=http://www.uniindia.com/meghalaya-lokayukta-issues-notices-to-cs-others-on-illegal-mining--transportation-of-coal/east/news/2314490.html |access-date=20 September 2021 |publisher=uniindia.com |date=9 February 2021}}</ref>

In 2020, Meghalaya Lokayukta in a complaint against government officials being involved in the smuggling of boulders, betel nuts and coal to other states, passed an order to the CBI for the investigation of same.<ref name="Megha Lok Ref8">{{cite news |title=Govt seeks advice on Lokayukta order |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/government-seeks-advice-on-lokayukta-order-in-meghalaya/cid/1736405 |access-date=20 September 2021 |publisher=telegraphindia.com |date=16 January 2020}}</ref>

Meghalaya Lokayukta even on request of the Meghalaya Government refused to amend, recall or modify the order passed by it in the Khliehriat case and refused any respite to the latter alleging the Government of interfering with the powers of the statutory body.<ref name="Megha Lok Ref10" />

The validity of the Lokayukta Act was challenged in the [[Meghalaya High Court]] in relation to a case that the Lokayukta was following up. Former GHADC secretary Hewingson Sangma moved the apex court challenging the 10 July order of the division bench of the High Court of Meghalaya which did not give any relief to the petitioner who questioned the validity of Lokayukta Act following the charge sheet order. On 4 August 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed as withdrawn a Special Leave Petition filed by former secretary GHADC Hewingson Sangma who was chargesheeted along with 12 others in connection with a scam in GHADC.{{fact|date=August 2024}}

== See also ==

*[[Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013|Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013]]

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://meghalaya.gov.in official website]
* [https://meghalayamonitor.com/sc-dismisses-petition-challenging-single-member-lokayukta-order-on-ghadc-scam/]


[[Category:Politics of Meghalaya]]
[[Category:Lokayuktas]]

Meghalaya Lokayukta - Revision history

Svetlanafvq at 10:57, 27 February 2026