Bannurmath's name for Lokayukta

The Karnataka government has recommended to Governor H R Bhardwaj to appoint former Kerala High Court Chief Justice S G Bannurmath as the Lokayukta, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said here on Friday.

Refusing to be drawn into a debate over the controversy faced by Bannurmath for securing the allotment of a residential site at the Judicial layout in violation of norms, Gowda told reporters that he was not aware of the details.

“The process of appointing new Lokayukta has been completed. The government has consulted the opposition parties. The name of Bannurmath has been recommended to the governor. It is left to the governor to take a decision,” Gowda said. When his attention was drawn to the controversy faced by Bannurmath, Gowda quipped: “Who does not have allegations. It is very difficult to spot such a person.”

There were media reports that Bannurmath was allotted a 100x60 ft residential site at the Judicial Layout on a land which had been reserved for park. The allotment made after converting civic amenity sites was pending before the High Court.

Former Supreme Court judge Shivaraj Patil quit as Lokayukta on August 19 in the wake of allegations of irregularities in securing allotment of a residential site in his wife’s name from a private housing cooperative. Patil demitted office about one-and-a-half month after assuming it.