Former leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, A K Subbaiah, on Thursday requested the Governor to expedite the procedure to select the new Lokayukta.

“The Lokayukta institution is passing through a rough time. It has been several months since the post of Lokayukta had fallen vacant. The Governor should take serious note of this vacuum and immediately decide on the selection of a new Lokayukta,” he said.

Retired wing commander G B Atri said 15 complaints filed by him and Jayakumar Hiremath against senior bureaucrats and politicians were pending with the Lokayukta. “IPS, IFS, IAS officers and MLAs and ministers come under the jurisdiction of the Lokayukta. Hence, the complaints against these officials are pending in the Lokayukta institution. We also request the government to form a search committee to look for a qualified judge as the Lokayukta who can revive the institution,” Atri said.