Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru (RJP)

Bengaluru, Jan 4: Lokayukta post, which has been vacant for more than a year, will be filled soon. Justice P Vishwanath Shetty will become the Lokayukta, as per the high placed sources in the state government.

Justice P Vishwanath Shetty

A meeting has been called to officially discuss the matter of appointment on January 9. Chief Minister, chief justice of high court, Legislative Assembly speaker, chairman of Legislative Council., opposition leaders from both Houses will take part in the meeting. Though no official confirmation has come from any side, it is believed that Justice Vishwanath Shetty is going to be the unanimous choice.

Justice Bhaskar Rao had resigned on December 8 in 2015 after charges of corruption were leveled against him. After that the vacancy was not filled at all. Name of Justice S R Nayak, presently chairman of Chhattisgarh Human Rights Commission and former chairman of Karnataka Human Rights Commission, was doing rounds among others for the post.

Chief Minister himself was favouring Justice Nayak. But due to some allegations that Justice Nayak bypassed law to get housing site, his name was subsequently dropped. Opposition BJP played a major role in this episode by complaining to governor that the government favoured Justice Nayak. Governor too sent the files back to the government relating to the appointment of Justice Nayak.

The government, which did not want to lose face, played delaying tactics. But ultimately when it was very clear that Justice Nayak cannot be made Lokayukta without objections, the government has chosen to appoint Lokayukta.

It is believed that Justice Vishwanath Shetty does not have objections from any quarters.