Module 02 — Filing the Lokayukta complaint

To,
The Lokayukta
[State Name]
[Address]

Subject: Complaint under Section [X] of the [State] Lokayukta Act, [year]

Sir/Madam,

I, [Your name], [age], a citizen of India, residing at [Address], beg to submit this complaint against [Officer name], [designation], [department] for the following acts of misconduct / maladministration / abuse of office:

1. **The complainant**
   [Brief about you, capacity in which you complain — affected party / activist]

2. **The respondent**
   [Officer + designation + department + posting]

3. **Acts complained of**
   [3-7 numbered factual paragraphs, each with date, evidence reference]

4. **Documents relied upon** (Annexures A to Z)
   A. [RTI reply dated DD-MM-YYYY from PIO of XYZ dept, ref no. ___]
   B. [Order dated DD-MM-YYYY by respondent, source]
   C. [Photograph / video / inspection report]
   ...

5. **Prior departmental redressal**
   [If any. State "none" if not required by your state's Lokayukta Act.]

6. **Reliefs sought**
   (a) Investigation into the matter
   (b) Recommendation for disciplinary action / prosecution
   (c) Recovery of any misappropriated amount
   (d) Such other order as the Lokayukta deems fit

7. **Affidavit**
   [Required in most states — get notarised affidavit attesting to truth of complaint]

Date: [DD-MM-YYYY]                                                Signature: ________
Place: [City]                                                     Name: [Your name]
                                                                  Phone + email

Most state Lokayukta Acts require a notarised affidavit. Standard wording:

“I, [Your name], son/daughter of [Father's name], aged [X] years, resident of [Address], do hereby solemnly affirm and state on oath as under:

1. That I am the complainant in the above-referenced matter. 2. That the contents of the complaint at paragraphs 1 to [N] are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. 3. That the documents annexed as A to Z are true copies of originals in my possession or accessed from public sources. 4. That nothing material has been suppressed.

Deponent.

Verified at [Place] on [Date] that the contents of paragraphs 1 to 4 above are true to my knowledge.”

1. Original + 3 copies (varies by state)
2. Affidavit notarised + attached
3. All annexures attested
4. Submit at Lokayukta office personally OR by Speed Post AD
5. Get the diary / inward number
6. Some states have online filing — check current status

No fee in most states. Karnataka charges nominal ₹50.

Within 2-4 weeks, the Lokayukta's office will:

1. Verify jurisdiction
2. Check completeness
3. Assign to a Member / Investigator
4. Either: register as a formal complaint, OR return for completion, OR dismiss as outside jurisdiction

If returned for completion: 30-day window to fix + resubmit. Don't miss it.

Most state Lokayukta Acts protect complainant identity from the public servant during investigation. Don't share the complaint publicly until investigation is over (this can be used by the respondent to allege malicious complaint).

Exception: if you're filing as part of a public-interest campaign and need to publicise — get legal advice first.

Quiz available from your course dashboard.

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Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.