Bannurmath to be new Karnataka Lokayukta

Bangalore: Karnataka government has recommended to the Governor to appoint former Kerala High Court Chief Justice SG Bannurmath as Lokayukta, Chief

Minister DV Sadananda Gowda said on Friday.

Refusing to be drawn into a debate over the controversy facing Bannurmath for securing 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".

Reports in the media claimed that Bannurmath got allotted 100x60 ft residential site at the Judicial Layout, on a land which had been reserved for a 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.