Vijayan accused the United Democratic Front (UDF) government of attempting to bring an independent institution under the control of the executive. Lokayukta, Up-Lokayukta, Director General of Prosecution Asaf Ali, Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department and Law Secretary were present in the meeting.
Vijayan said, “The direct summoning of Lokayuktas and Up-Lokayuktas by a minister is against the basic principle of separation of executive and judiciary.” He further said that this move undermines the spirit of the Constitution and the Kerala Lokayukta Act.
The Lokayukta is empowered to investigate a number of allegations against public servants, including corruption, nepotism and abuse of power. Chief Minister, Ministers, MLAs and government officials come under its purview.
Vijayan said the Home Minister should not summon the heads of an independently functioning body. He also questioned the presence of senior government officials and the prosecution chief in the meeting and said such a gathering could cast doubt on the impartiality of the Lokayukta.
He said the Lokayukta has the powers to receive evidence, summon witnesses, investigate and submit reports against public servants. He alleged that the government has adopted an unfair attitude towards the institution.
Recalling the UDF's earlier stand, Vijayan said that while in the opposition, its leaders had strongly defended the autonomy of the Lokayukta. They had opposed the amendments brought by the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government and even approached the Governor, alleging that the changes would weaken the institution.
Vijayan said Chennithala himself had filed a petition in the Kerala High Court against these amendments, arguing that they were an encroachment on the judicial powers of the Lokayukta. The High Court later rejected the petition.
He said the recent meeting was therefore particularly important and accused the government of dragging Lokayukta judges into the controversy. “The government should not repeat such a step which would damage the credibility of the Lokayukta. This institution should be allowed to function independently,” he said.
These comments are likely to trigger a fresh political confrontation between the LDF opposition and the UDF government over the functioning and autonomy of the Lokayukta.