Questions why he was allowed to continue as ombudsman during the Delhi polls

Days after the Aam Aadmi Party appointed a new Lokpal replacing Admiral (Retd.) L. Ramdas saying his term had ended, the former Navy Chief questioned the decision saying his term was to end only in November 2016.

In an e-mail to party general secretary Pankaj Gupta, Admiral Ramdas, a recipient of the 2004 Ramon Magsaysay award for peace, said he was “stunned,” “bemused” and “befuddled” by the AAP’s decision and questioned how he was allowed to work as the party’s internal ombudsman during the Delhi Assembly polls if his tenure had already ended as claimed by the party.

“Had there been any indication ... that my term had expired, I might not have carried out all those tasks, which could now even be termed illegal or invalid,” he said.

The party had consulted him and forwarded queries as late as March 25 — just four days before his sacking.

“My term as Lokpal continued as per the party’s constitution, and therefore continues to be valid for three years from November 2013 when my first year finished,” he said in his e-mail.