PILs against appointment of Upa Lokayukta

Two PILs were filed in the High Court on Monday challenging the appointment of Upa Lokayukta Justice Chandrashekaraiah.

The PILs by Janekere C Krishna and another by R Anand Murthy, sought the quashing of the appointment of Justice Chandrashekaraiah. The petitioners state the appointment was made without proper consultation in accordance with Section 3(2)(b) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984. 

Anand Murthy contended that the Governor had not applied his mind before approving the appointment of Justice Chandrashekaraiah. Even the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka had expressed unhappiness over the appointment, which was done without due consultation with all the parties. 

According to the Act, the Upa Lokayukta shall be appointed on the advice of the chief minister in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka, presiding officers of the Legislative Council and Assembly and also the Leaders of the Opposition in the two Houses.

Krishna, in his petition, has recalled that Justice M F Saldanha had also objected to Justice Chandrashekaraiah continuing in the post of Upa Lokayukta, as he owns a site in the controversial Judicial Layout. He has sought appropriate directions from the High Court to the State government over the appointment.