PANAJI
With more than 15 anti-corruption cases pending, the Goa Lokayukta has remained non-functional for nearly two months following the end of Justice (retd) Ambadas Joshi's tenure in December 2024.
The Directorate of vigilance has now written to the Chief Secretary seeking approval for shortlisting names of retired high court judges to select new Lokayukta for the state.
“We have moved a file to the government; once we get the approval we will write to the High Court requesting to provide the names of retired judges. We will then take the consent of those Judges. The process will be followed. We don’t know how long it will take but will try to do it as early as possible,” sources said.
A three-member committee, comprising the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, will finalize the appointment once a suitable candidate is identified.
Justice Joshi was appointed in April 2021. He had succeeded Justice (retd) P K Misra, whose term ended in September 2020. At that time, a total 75 cases were pending.
Prior to Joshi’s appointment, the state government had shortlisted Justice (retd) U V Bakre, but he withdrew his consent in March 2021, citing personal reasons.
Most of the pending cases are related to corruption in illegal constructions, permissions, etc.
Few days before his term could end, Misra had written to the Government stating that the Lokayukta Act in Goa was toothless and the anti-corruption authority in the state lacked the powers of those in Karnataka and Kerala.
Goa’s first Lokayukta, Justice (retd) Sudershan Reddy had resigned within seven months of his appointment in 2013 citing personal reasons.
After almost three years, Justice Misra, took office on April 28, 2016.
The state government in 2021 amended the Lokayukta Act to allow the appointment of retired high court judges, after failing to appoint a Supreme Court judge or a retired high court chief justice to the post.
