Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Oct 8: It is learnt that the state government, in an anxiety to ensure that the next Lokayukta is not mired in any kind of controversy, wants to tread cautiously while choosing the next Lokayukta of the state. If the present thinking in government circles is any indication, it may choose Justice Nauvdip Kumar (N K) Sodhi, former Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, for this post.

There is a feeling that selecting a native of Karnataka has the inherent risk of surfacing of one or the other controversy. There is also a sense of disinclination on the part of the learned judges of Karnataka origin to head the Lokayukta, after the humiliation suffered by Justice Shivaraj Patil. Most of the judges from the state have big sites in Judicial Employees House Building Cooperative Society extension, and questions may crop up in future about mode of acquisition etc, the government feels. Although the name of sitting judge of Supreme Court, Justice R V Raveendran, who is set to retire on October 14 too came up for consideration, there were reservations from among the government circles about his appointment, it is said.

Justice Sodhi hails from Punjab, and during his tenure in the state, he was widely known for non-controversial nature, no-nonsense approach to issues, and sticking to highest principles of justice.

The Chief Minster has already said that he has asked the concerned to recommend names for the said post, and that steps as per norms would be taken once their replies are received.