BENGALURU: Decks have been cleared for the new Lokayukta in Karnataka as governor Vajubhai Vala has finally given his assent to the appointment of Justice P Vishwanath Shetty.
The Governor had earlier sent back the recommendation seeking some clarifications, following allegations that Shetty’s family owned sites in violation of norms.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, CM Siddaramaiah said the Governor had signed the appointment of Justice Shetty.
The CM had earlier said the government would respond to the clarifications sought by the Governor and had ruled out suggesting any other name for the post. He is said to have discussed with the Governor about many judges owning a site in Judicial Layout.
Sources in the CM’s office said Advocate General Madhusudan Naik had forwarded the file to the Law Department after giving clarifications on the points raised by the Governor. The government had sent the recommendation again to the Governor on Wednesday morning and by evening the Governor had given his nod to the appointment, reportedly satisfied with the explanation.
Shetty’s name was recommended by the committee headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The post of Karnataka Lokayukta has been vacant for more than a year following the resignation of Y Bhaskar Rao in December 2015 over an alleged bribery scandal involving his office and son.