SC sets aside appointment of Upa Lokayukta in Karnataka

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today set aside the appointment of Justice (retd) Chandrashekaraiah as Upa Lokayukta of Karnataka on the ground that he was appointed by the government without consultation with the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court.

A bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and Madan B Lokur held that the consultation with the chief justice is mandatory before appointment of Upa Lokayukta and the chief minister did not hold any "meaningful" consultation with the chief justice.

The bench, however, made it clear that there is nothing against justice Chandrashekaraiah and he can be again considered by the state government for the post.

The bench said the chief minister has committed error by not consulting the chief justice and held that the appointment of Upa Lokayukta is void ab initio (to be treated as invalid from the outset).