Justice Bannurmath to be new Lokayukta of Karnataka

Bangalore, Oct 27: The former chief justice of Kerala High Court, Justice S R Bannurmath will take charge as the new Lokayukta of Karnataka. He will succeed Shivaraj V Patil who quit on Sept 19 following a controversy over owning multiple sites in Bangalore.

The new move has come after the state government recommended Justice Bannurmath's name to governor H R Bhardwaj for the Lokayukta post. Governor has already received a letter from Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda in connection with the Lokayukta's appointment. A Raj Bhavan Source said that "Bhardwaj may take a call on Thursday (today)".

Earlier, Justice Bannurmath had served in the Karnataka high court and he was the chief justice of Kerala high court from March 2009 to January 2010. Sources said that the CM's recommendation hasn't gained much support from the leaders of opposition who traditionally have had a say in the decision.

According to the law, Lokayukta is appointed by the governor and the CM recommends the name after consultation with the chief justice, council chairman, assembly speaker and leaders of the opposition.

OneIndia News