SAC counsel concludes arguments on Commission’s suo-moto power

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 14: The counsel of State Accountability Commission today concluded his arguments on its suo-moto powers in the court of Justice Hasnain Massodi.
In his arguments, Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi, who was appearing for the SAC, laid stress on Sections 9, 10 and 11 of the State Accountability Commission Act, 2002 and Regulation No.9 and submitted that the conjoint reading of these sections do not make it compulsorily that only cognizance can be taken by the SAC on a proper complaint.
Giving various illustrations in support of his arguments and to justify the suo-moto power of the SAC, he submitted that Commission could look into grievances, allegations and action as defined under the Act.
After conclusion of the argument, Senior Advocate D S Thakur requested the Court for supplementing the arguments of Mr Sethi. While taking note of the submissions made by Senior Advocate D S Thakur, Justice Hasnain Massodi asked Senior AAG Gagan Basotra to apprise the Court about the stand of the State with regard to the suo-moto power of the SAC on the next date.
With these directions, Justice Masoodi adjourned the case till August 22.
It is worthwhile to mention here that the petitions filed by Pt Managt Ram Sharma, former Deputy Chief Minister, Suman Lata Bhagat, former Health Minister, Peerzada Mohd Syed, former Education Minister, Manohar Lal Sharma, Minister for Cooperatives, Vikas Behal, PRO to former Health Minister Suman Lata Bhagat, Satvir Gupta, former DIG, IAS officer Atal Dulloo, Abdul Majid Wani, former Minister and MLA Doda, Sheikh Rafiq Ahmed, former Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Dr Mohd Deen, retired Commissioner Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department, Dr Satvir Gupta, former Director Sheep Husbandry Department, Ashok Parmar, then Vice chairman JDA, Dharmveer Koul, Executive Engineer PWD, Jamrodh Singh, SHO and Farhat Qureshi, then Secretary Housing Board and others challenging the powers of the SAC to take suo-moto cognizance are pending in the High Court for last more than five years.