Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Feb 24: The Goa Lokayukta has remained non-functional for nearly two months following the end of Justice (retd) Ambadas Joshi's tenure in December 2024. The anti-corruption watchdog’s office has been inactive since, leaving around 14 cases pending.

The state government now plans to initiate the process of appointing a new Lokayukta, with officials set to approach retired judges for consent. A three-member committee, comprising the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, will finalize the appointment once a suitable candidate is identified.

Justice Joshi was appointed in April 2021, after a six-month gap following the completion of Justice (retd) P K Misra’s term in September 2020. Prior to Joshi’s appointment, the state government had shortlisted Justice (retd) U V Bakre, but he withdrew his consent in March 2021, citing personal reasons.

If the government fails to secure the consent of retired judges, it may seek recommendations from the Supreme Court for the appointment.

The history of Goa’s Lokayukta appointments has been marked by delays and setbacks. Justice Misra, who took office on April 28, 2016, had previously served as the chairperson of the State Human Rights Commission for five years. Before him, Goa’s first Lokayukta, Justice (retd) Sudershan Reddy, resigned within seven months of his appointment in 2013.

The state government had amended the Lokayukta Act to allow the appointment of retired high court judges, after failing to appoint a Supreme Court judge or a retired high court chief justice. However, in the wake of several indictments by the Lokayukta against public functionaries, the government diluted the powers of the institution by removing provisions allowing complaints related to nepotism, lack of integrity, maladministration, and improper or corrupt motives.

With the Lokayukta office lying dormant and no immediate successor in place, concerns over the state's anti-corruption efforts continue to mount.