New Lokayukta for UP, CM welcomes Supreme Court move

The Supreme Court on Thursday recalled its December 16 order appointing controversial Justice Virendra Singh, a former judge of Allahabad High Court as Lokayukta of Uttar Pradesh, and named another retired judge as the new ombudsman. While taking back its decision, the apex court appointed Justice Sanjay Mishra, a retired judge of the Allahabad High Court as new Lokayukta of UP. 

Referring to the objections raised by the Chief Justice of the High Court on the name of Justice Singh, the bench said, “We are now left with serious doubts with regard to the suitability of Justice Singh as Lokayukta.” 

The bench comprising justices Rajan Gogoi and P C Panta termed as “unfortunate” the inability of constitutional functionaries like the Chief Minister and Chief Justice of HC to arrive at a consensual name for the post of the Lokayukta. 

The bench, while recalling its order, referred to an earlier apex court judgment holding that the views of the HC Chief Justice should be accorded primacy in such appointments. 

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to appoint retired judge of Allahabad High Court Justice Sanjay Mishra as the new anti-graft ombudsman. “We welcome the apex court decision,” Yadav told reporters when asked to comment on the new appointment. 

The appointment of Lokayukta in UP had snowballed into a major controversy last year with Governor Ram Naik  refusing to accept the name of Justice (retd) Raveendra  Singh and asking the  chief minister to follow proper procedure for selecting the ombudsman.