Lok Ayukta issue: Justice RA Mehta won’t respond to Gujarat HC notice

Justice RA Mehta, who has been appointed as Lok Ayukta by the governor despite CM opposition to his name, has made it clear that he is not going to file any reply before the Gujarat High Court.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of a painting exhibition, he said, "I have received the notice by the high court but I will not file any reply nor hire a lawyer. I have informed the high court and left a decision to the court."

Earlier this month, the high court had issued a notice to Justice Mehta over the petition filed by the state government challenging his appointment as Lok Ayukta. However, as the notice was not served, the high court issued him a fresh notice on Wednesday.

When asked whether his refusal to respond to the notice means he is not interested in the post, Justice Mehta said: "It is up to you how you interpret it." He also avoided a question on his stand on the issue as his appointment as Lok Ayukta had sparked a political controversy. However, he did say: "The chief justice had taken my consent prior to recommending my name for appointment as Lok Ayukta," he said. A former acting chief justice of the Gujarat high court, RA Mehta was appointed Lokayukta by the Governor despite chief minister Narendra Modi's opposition.

The chief minister's office alleged that he was associated with certain NGOs.

However, the chief justice of the Gujarat high court had vouched for his integrity and credentials and had said that Justice Mehta maintains a high reputation for integrity.

The affidavit submitted in the high court by the chief justice's office states: "He [Justice Mehta] has never made a public statement which is detrimental to society, nor has he shown any aspiration for any government post, either of the state or the centre. And it cannot be said that he is associated with one or other NGO as there is nothing to suggest that he is a member of any NGO."