HC admits plea on Upa Lokayukta's appointment

The division bench of the High Court comprising Justices Hulavadi G Ramesh and  Narayana-swamy on Wednesday issued notices to the State government, the Lokayukta and Upa Lokayukta S B Majage, in a petition challenging the appointment of the Upa Lokayukta.  

The petition alleges that the appointment process of the Upa Lokayukta did not give due credence to the opinion of the Chief Justice.   The petitioner contends that only one name had to be suggested by the Chief Justice and other constitutional functionaries had to merely give their opinion on this name alone.

This procedure was not followed during the appointment of Majage, the petitioner contended.

It states that then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa had sought the opinion of five constitutional functionaries for a name, including then Chief Justice P D Dinakaran, who had suggested the names of Justice Chandrashekaraiah and Justice S B Majage.

Leaders of the Opposition in the Assembly and Council, Siddaramaiah and Motamma respectively, had suggested the names of Justice Ramanna and Justice Chandrashekaraiah. The Speaker of the Assembly and the Chairman of the Council had also recommended Justice Chandrashekaraiah’s name.