Anguished at being powerless, says Lokayukta on his last day

Delhi Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin, who had given several reports indicting the Sheila Dikshit government for alleged corruption, on Tuesday expressed frustration and anguish over non-implementation of his orders.

Delhi Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin, who had given several reports indicting the Sheila Dikshit government for alleged corruption, on Tuesday expressed frustration and anguish over non-implementation of his orders.

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Speaking at the 11th Lokayukta Conference here, Justice Sarin said: “After 16 years of judicial career, you realise you are occupying a position where have no power to enforce your decisions.

“After years of orders being implemented, you start making recommendations and then you are again at the mercy of some bureaucrats,” Justice Sarin, who demitted office as Delhi Lokayukta on Tuesday, said.

“I am not infallible, I might have made some mistakes, but all I can say is if there were mistakes, they were bona fide mistakes in what I perceive was justice being done,” he added.

The Delhi Lokayukta, under Justice Sarin has in the past five years dealt with 2,370 complaints and acted against ministers, MLAs and councillors, including Dikshit for allegedly misusing public funds on ad campaign ahead of 2008 polls.

A Lokayukta report had recommended the President to advise “caution” to Dikshit for allegedly misrepresenting facts about the completion of 60,000 low-cost flats.

Apex Court judge Justice Madan B Lokur, releasing the compendium of 11th All India Lokayuktas Conference at a function, said that there was a need to spread awareness about the institution of Lokayukta.

Another Supreme Court judge justice AK Sikri said: “There can’t be economic growth and good governance unless we have a corruption free society and the institution of Lokayukta has an important role to play in this direction.”