Governor Vala asks state govt to reconsider Justice Shetty’s name for Lokayukta

Bengaluru: In a recent development, Governor Vajubhai Vala has supposedly asked the state government to reconsider Justice P Vishwanath Shetty for the post of the Lokayukta as they were complaints that he had allegedly purchased land in violation of rules.

Sources say that Vala had written to the government noting that there were procedural lapses while recommending Justice Shetty’s name to the Raj Bhavan for approval.

Vala, in his two-page letter explained to the government why he wanted it to reconsider the decision. He is said to have informed the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government that founder-president of Samaj Parivartana Samudaya S R Hiremath had submitted a memorandum to the Raj Bhavan along with documents allegedly stating that Justice Shetty and his family were involved in the purchase of land in violation of rules.

The Governor has reportedly questioned the government as to why the decision was taken without checking Justice Shetty’s background.

Sources have revealed that during a high-level meeting held on January 9 to decide on the new Lokayukta, Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar had reportedly spoken regarding the charges against Justice Shetty, but the Chief Minister had dismissed it as trivial.