Piqued by Delhi lieutenant governor Tejinder Khanna’s refusal to act against a public servant found guilty of collecting funds from the poor and destitute by abusing his office, Delhi Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin has decided to take on him directly.

In an extraordinary step, Justice Sarin has sent a “special report” to the LG asking him to “reconsider” his decision of not acting against the guilty and in case he stuck to his position, he should explain his position and table the Lokayukta’s special report in the assembly along with that explanation.

The case relates to Nangloi ex-councillor Narender Bindal. There were allegations that Bindal was forcing widows and aged persons to subscribe to a magazine, “Dharam Pravaha”, as a precondition to release their pension. One complaint said he was forced to issue two cheques of Rs 1,100 each for receiving pension for his parents.

The Lokayukta looked into the matter and came to the conclusion that the complaint against Binder was right. Accordingly, it made three recommendations to the LG- (a) the process of releasing pension be changed to check such abuses (b) Bindal be named and shamed through public notices and (c) an investigation should be ordered into the complaint for which the material before the Lokayukta could be used.

The LG wrote back accepting the first recommendation but rejecting the two others. His reply was shocking. Refusing to order an investigation, the LG said, “Law will take its own course in the matter”. On the recommendation to name and shame Bindal, the LG said, “Penalty of name and shame not agreed to”.

Justice Sarin, in his order of May 1, said he was not satisfied with the LG’s responses. He found the LG violating the legal process.

“The processing of Lokayukta’s report has not been in accordance with the provisions of the statute”, he wrote. He objected to the fact that not only the LG entertained a representation from Bindal and granted a personal hearing but he also dismissed Lokayukta’s recommendations without explanations.