Justice (retd) Virendra Singh appointed as UP Lokayukta

Interestingly, the Governor has also returned the state government's file on the appointment of Justice Virendra Singh as Lokayukta because the copy of the Supreme Court order was not attached.

While a tug of war had ensued between the state, the governor and the chief justice of Allahabad High Court over the names recommended initially by the government, leading to a stalemate, the Supreme Court had earlier this week appointed Virendra Singh as the new Lokayukta. Justice Singh will be sworn in at Raj Bhavan on December 20 at 10.30 a.m. This brings the curtains down on the controversy surrounding the appointment of the ombudsman.

Expressing his dismay over the appointment of Justice Virendra Singh, Justice Chandrachud had written to the Governor that despite his objections to the name of Justice Virendra Singh during the meeting of the selection panel, Justice Singh's name figured on the list which was sent to the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav defended his government over the issue of appointment of Lokayukta by the Supreme Court.

In a 50-page letter, Justice Chandrachud expressed that he was kept in the dark by the State and despite assurances by Mr. Yadav that the name of Justice (retd.) Singh would not be included, it was done.

The panel had met again on Wednesday morning, an hour before the apex court was to hear the related case. Earlier, SC had set December 16 as the deadline for the Akhilesh government t to appoint the Lokayukta failing which the Court took the lead and passed the order.

Talking to the media after attending a function at Gorakhpur on Thursday afternoon, Yadav said that the decision of Apex Court was welcome and the delay was due to other parties which was evident to all and sundry.