Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R. Vala on Wednesday administered the oath of office to Justice N. Ananda as the state's new deputy ombudsman (Upa Lokayukta).
Vala appointed Justice Ananda, 62, a former judge of the Karnataka High Court, after the quasi-judicial post fell vacant in June following the retirement of the previous official, Justice S.B. Majage, as his five-year term ended.
The state government was compelled to recommend Ananda to the watchdog's post after the governor rejected Justice K.L. Manjunath following complaints against him from political and judiciary quarters.
A committee headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, presiding officers of the state legislature, opposition leaders of the assembly and the council and the high court's acting chief justice S.K. Mukherjee selected Ananda for the august post.
Besides Siddaramaiah, state Home Minister G. Parameshwara, state minister T.B. Jayachandra and high court judges and officials were present on the occasion.
The anti-graft institution's top post -- Ombudsman (Lokayukta) -- however fell vacant on December 7 after incumbent Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao resigned in the wake of bribery and extortion charges against his son Y. Ashwin Rao and a senior officer of the watchdog.
