Manipur Lokayukta

The Manipur Lokayukta came into existence on 1st April, 2016 under the Manipur Lokayukta Act, 2014 (Manipur Act No. 11 of 2014 to inquire into allegations of corruption against certain public functionaries and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

A complaint can be made before the Lokayukta against any public servant defined under Section 2 (1) (m) and referred to in Clauses (a) to (g) of Sub-section (1) of Section 14 of the Manipur Lokayukta Act, 2014. Public servant means a person defined under Section 2 (1) (m) and referred to in clauses (a) to (g) of sub-section of section 14 of the Manipur Lokayukta Act, 2014, but does not include a public servant in respect of whom the jurisdiction is exercisable by any court or other authority under the Army Act, 1950, the Air Force Act, 1950, the Navy Act, 1957 and the Coast Guard Act, 1978 or the procedure is applicable to such public servant under those Acts. Under Sub-Section (3) of Section 14, the Lokayukta may Inquire into any act or conduct of any person other than those referred to in sub-section (1), if such person is involved in the act of abetting, bribe giving or bribe taking or conspiracy relating to any allegation of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against a person referred to in sub-section (1). Provided that no action under this section shall be taken in case of a person serving in connection with the affairs of the Union without the consent of the Central Government.

Manipur Lokayukta is empowered to:  i) investigate, (ii) supervisory over the investigating agency, (iii) prosecute (iv) search and seizures, (v) powers of civil court in certain cases, (vi) utilizing the services of officers of the State Government, (vii) provisional attachment of assets, (viii) to take step for confirmation of attachment of assets, (ix) confiscation of assets, proceeds, receipts and benefits arisen or procured by means of corruption in special circumstances, (x) to recommend transfer or suspension of public servant connected with allegation of corruption, (xi) to give directions to prevent destruction of records during preliminary inquiry etc. under the provisions of the Manipur Lokayukta Act, 2014.

Under sub section (2) of section 27 of the Manipur Lokayukta Act, 2014, any proceeding before the Lokayukta shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of section 193 of the Indian Penal Code. The Manipur Lokayukta Act, 2014 shall have overriding effect of all enactments as on 1.4.2016.