CJ okayed RA Mehta’s name for Lok Ayukta; Narendra Modi said no

In the continuing battle over the Governor's decision to appoint Justice (retired) RA Mehta as the state's Lok Ayukta, it has come to light that the Gujarat chief justice had checked Mehta's credentials and found him suitable for the post.

This was revealed in an affidavit filed by the chief justice's principal private secretary (PPS) KS Prasad on Wednesday before the bench of justices Akil Kuresh and Sonia Gokani.

On August 2 this year, the then chief justice of Gujarat high court SJ Mukhopadhya had written a confidential letter to Modi stating that Mehta was not involved in any activity that would make him ineligible for the post.

According to the affidavit, the chief justice had stated in the confidential letter that Mehta was a man of high repute and integrity and always had high reputation while he was in the judiciary. He still has a high standing in society, the chief justice had stated in the letter.

"He has never made a public statement which is detrimental to society, nor has he shown any aspiration to any government post…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," the chief justice had written in the letter.

The letter also contained two judgments of the Supreme Court in which it is stated that the name suggested by the chief justice of the high court for the post of Lokayukta would have to be accepted.

The chief justice had also requested the chief minister to take up the matter before the council of ministers and to forward the name of Mehta to the Governor for appointment as Lokayukta.

The chief justice had written the letter in reply to the chief minister's letter objecting to the name of Justice Mehta for the post of Lok Ayukta.

On June 16, 2011, the chief minister had written a letter to the chief justice insisting that Justice (retired) JR Vora's name be endorsed for the post of Lokayukta.

The high court bench on Wednesday adjourned the case for further hearing on September 28 as notice had not been served on Justice Mehta as ordered by the bench on September 7.