Retired Justice Virendra Singh appointed as Uttar Pradesh’s new Lokayukta

A day before the newly Apex Court appointed Lokayukta of Uttar Pradesh could be sworn in, the Supreme court while entertaining an urgent petition, stopped Justice Virendra Singh from taking oath as UP Lokayukta. UP government counsel Gaurav Bhatia told the bench that the swearing-in will not take place on Sunday.

Uttar Pradesh government was failed to meet the Supreme Court deadline to appoint Lokayukta even after two rounds of marathon talks, which failed to come up with a consensus name. Justice Chandrachud also pointed out that the name was included though Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had assured it would not be done.

In Lucknow, Raj Bhawan officials said in wake of the new development, Governor Ram Naik has cancelled the swearing-in ceremony slated for 10.30 p.m.

The court, however, asked for the original letter of the chief justice of the Allahabad High Court, who had written a stinging letter against the state government reiterating how he has been betrayed by the government on the nomination of Justice Virendra Singh Yadav as he had objected to his name.

Finally, on Wednesday, the Supreme Court, citing the “failure of the constitutional authorities” to comply with its order, had invoked its constitutional powers under Article 142 to appoint Justice (retd.) Virendra Singh, a former judge of the Allahabad High Court, as the new Lokayukta and thereby ended the logjam on the issue.

Bhatia, after getting instructions, submitted that the oath-taking would be deferred until the matter is heard by the appropriate bench.

The fresh plea seeks a direction to quash a December 18 order of the government appointing Justice Singh as Lokayukta. The bench regretted that its several orders have not been “heeded” by the constitutional functionaries – the chief minister, the leader of opposition and the chief justice of the Allahabad high court.