I was indifferent to parties taking up Lokayukta issue: Mehta

Justice RA Mehta, whose appointed as Lokayukta was today upheld by the Gujarat High Court, said he had remained “totally indifferent” to the issue being taken up by political parties. “No, not at all. I have remained totally indifferent in all these things,” he said when asked if stands taken by political parties ever bothered him. Mehta refused comment on the majority decision of the High Court, saying, “I have not seen the judgement and will only be able to comment after the final judgement.” Asked about his priorities, Mehta, who is a retired judge, said, “There are no priorities. Whoever is occupying that office has to do his duty.” [caption id=“attachment_186675” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“AFP”]  [/caption] Replying to questions, he said Lokayukta should be there “everywhere” and that “there is no doubt” about it. “It is a universal demand,” he said. On if he had received any communication with regard to his taking over the office, Mehta said, “No. It is too early to decide”. The Narendra Modi government suffered a setback with the High Court upholding the appointment of Mehta by the Governor while dismissing the plea of the state challenging it. The state government said the decision would be challenged in the Supreme Court. Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal had appointed Mehta to the post of Lokayukta on August 25, last year. The post had been lying vacant for eight years prior to that. PTI