It is the first time that the top court has had to exercise its powers to appoint a Lokayutka, after repeated orders to the state that it must appoint a new person in the position.
With a sharp reprimand for the Uttar Pradesh government, the Supreme Court today appointed a retired judge Justice Virender Singh as the state's Lokayukta or anti-corruption ombudsman.
It is the first time that the top court has had to exercise its powers to appoint a Lokayutka, after repeated orders to the state that it must appoint a new person in the position.
The court said it "regretted and was astonished that constitutional functionaries failed to comply with orders passed by the highest court of the land,"
A deadline set by the Supreme Court ended today and in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav held two rounds of marathon meetings but failed to offer a name for the post. The Samjawadi Party government has given the present Lokayukta, Justice NK Mehrotra, multiple extensions, after his term ended more then a year ago.
The selection committee made up of Mr Yadav, Chief Justice of Allahbad High Court DY Chandrachud and Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Swami Prasad Maurya of the BSP have at their many meetings failed to agree on a name for a new Lokayukta.
After a five-hour long meeting that ended past midnight yesterday, discussions had resumed this morning at the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's residence.