The retired Delhi High Court judge Reva Khetrapal has emerged as the consensus name to be appointed as the Lokayukta of Delhi.
Khetrapal has been chosen from the list of former judges that included retired Chief Justice of Orissa High Court, Bilal Nazki and retired Chief Justice of Haryana and Punjab High Court, Jasbir Singh. The post has been lying vacant for last two years.
Delhi’s law ministry had proposed these names for the post of Lokayukta of Delhi. Lt Governor Najeeb Jung had recently held consultation with Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal and Opposition leader Vijender Gupta. The decision to appoint Khetrapal was unanimous among the leaders.
Also Read: Jung writes to Kejriwal, asks him to hurry up on appointment of Lokayukta
Delhi hasn’t had any Lokayukta since 2013. Delhi High Court, on an earlier occasion, had said that it would be better if the government appointed the lokayukta quickly. Arvind Kejriwal government, which assumed office in February this year, had assured the court that it was ‘committed to implementing the Lokayukta act.’
A Lokayukt, under the existing act, is appointed after consultations with the chief justice of the high court and the leader of the opposition.
In September, Jung had written to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asking him to send a list of names for the post of lokayukta (anti-corruption ombudsman) without any delay.
In his letter sent to chief minister’s office, Jung had said since the candidate for the post will only be decided after the President approved his/her name, the chief minister needed to give utmost priority to the issue and send the names without any delay.