K L Manjunath may be new Upalokayukta

The State government has recommended the name of former High Court judge Justice K L Manjunath (in pic) for the post of Upalokayukta. The post has been vacant since Justice S B Majage demitted office on July 17, 2015 on completing his five-year term.

The Chief Minister’s Office on Thursday sent an official communication to Governor Vajubai R Vala recommending Justice Manjunath for the post. The Governor is yet to communicate his decision to the government, official sources told Deccan Herald on Friday.

Justice Manjunath, 62, retired on April 20, 2015. He enrolled as an advocate in 1974 and practised in the Karnataka High Court. He was appointed an additional judge on December 11, 2000 and a permanent judge on October 27, 2001.

On the day he demitted office, Justice Manjunath had accused some judges of the High Court, their kin and a Supreme Court judge of indulging in “witch-hunt” against him. An emotional Justice Manjunath had surprised many by saying that some judges were behind the attempt to tarnish his reputation in the last five years.

He almost broke down: “There is no place for integrity and honesty and no justice for a judge in this country.”

Stating that he restrained himself from approaching the media due to judicial discipline, he had said: “If I do not reveal the truth today, it will be buried along with me.”