In a setback to the Narendra Modi government, the Gujarat high court, in a majority decision, on Wednesday upheld the appointment of Lokayukta by the governor while dismissing the plea of the state challenging it.
Justice V M Sahai, who was given the task of hearing the petition challenging the appointment of Lokayukta following the split verdict of a division bench, said, "I could not agree with Justice Sonia Gokani of the division bench on the points of difference, which were referred to me."
In his verdict, he said, "I concur with the views of my brother judge Akil Kureshi." Kureshi had upheld the appointment of Lokayukta calling it as 'constitutional'. Hence, the government petition is dismissed", the court said.
Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal had appointed retired Justice R A Mehta to the post of Lokayukta on August 25, last year. The post had been lying vacant for eight years prior to that.