Karnataka Governor rejects justice Shetty for Lokayukta post
Both the ruling Congress and opposition BJP had favoured Justice Shetty's name.
Bengaluru: In what could be termed as a major jolt to the Congress government, governor Vajubai Vala has reportedly sent back the file recommending the name of retired high court judge Justice P. Vishwanath Shetty for the post of Lokayukta.
Sources in the government said that the file was sent back on Monday evening.
Last week, the collegium comprising the chief minister, Speaker, Council chairman, two opposition leaders and the high court chief justice discussed a few names including those of Justice N.K. Patil and Justice Vishwanath Shetty. Since both the ruling Congress and opposition BJP favoured Justice Shetty’s name, it was believed that the unanimous choice of the government would be approved by the governor.
Sources said that the governor reportedly drawn the government's attention to the opposition to Justice Shetty's candidature raised by several civil society organisations and leaders and said that the objections need to be looked into and the consultation should be thorough.
The government has not decided yet whether to send back the same name of Justice Shetty or recommend a new one. The decision would be taken in a day or two, sources explained.