Lokayukta appointment already under way, says chief justice

Bengaluru: The process of appointing the Karnataka Lokayukta is under active consideration of the state government, chief justice Ritu Raj Awasthi indicated on Tuesday.
While hearing a PIL petition, he also noted that the appointment involves the chief minister, himself and others, and there is no need for entertaining the PIL as the process is under way.
But petitioner S Umapathi, a city-based advocate, insisted that the plea should be kept pending until the appointment is made. He also said that in the past, there has been considerable delay in the appointment of Lokayuktas and Upa Lokayuktas. Acceding to his request, a division bench directed the matter to be posted after 10 days.
The post of Lokayukta fell vacant on January 28 when justice P Vishwanath Shetty’s five-year term came to an end. The appointment has to be made by the CM in consultation with the chief justice, assembly speaker, legislative council chairperson, and the leaders of opposition in both houses of legislature. tnn