Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
(1) Where the Lokayukta or Upa-Lokayukta, is satisfied on preliminary enquiry that the complaint needs investigation he— (a) shall forward a copy of the complaint, a statement setting out the grounds of such investigation, to the public functionary concerned and the competent authority concerned for information; (b) shall give the public functionary concerned an opportunity to offer his comments on such complaint or statement; and (c) may make such order as to the safe custody of documents relevant to the investigation as he6deems fit. (2) (a) Every preliminary enquirrreferred to in sub-section (1) shall be made in private and, in particular, the identity of the complainant and of the public functionary affected by such preliminary enquiry shall not be made public, whether before or during such preliminary enquiry, but the result of every investigation made under sub- section (1) shall be made public... (b) Every such investigation shall be completed as early as possible but in no case the period of such investigation shall exceed one year. (3) (a) Save as otherwise provided in the foregoing provisions of this section, the procedure for making any investigation shall be such as the Lokayukta or, as the case may be, the Upa-Lokayukta considers appropriate in the circumstances of each case, but regard shall always be given to the principles of natural justice. (b) The Lokayukta or Upa-Lokayukta, as the case- may be, may give direction to any officer or investigating agency, including the police, under the State Government to assist him in the conduct of any investigation under this Act, and such officer or investigating agency or the police, as the case may be, shall promptly comply with such direction. (4) The Lokayukta or Upa-Lokayukta may, in his discretion, refuse to investigate, or discontinue the investigation of, any complaint involving any allegation if, in his opinion,— 41! (a) the complaint is frivolous or vexatious or is not made in good faith; (b) there are no sufficient grounds for investigation or, as the case may be, for continuing the investigation; or (c) other remedies are available to the complainant and, in the circumstances of the case, it would be more proper for the complainant to avail of such remedies, (5) In any case where the Lokayukta or Upa-Lokayukta decides not to entertain a complaint or decides to discontinue any investigation in respect of the complaint, he shall record his reasons therefor and communicate the same to the complainant and the public functionary concerned. r Evidence.