Uttarakhand High Court Expresses Displeasure Over Lokayukta Appointment Delays
The Uttarakhand High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the continued delay in appointing the state's Lokayukta, emphasizing that the statutory mandate remains unfulfilled despite repeated judicial directions and assurances from the state government.
Judicial Concerns and Repeated Delays
Hearing a public interest litigation, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Subhash Upadhyay highlighted that as early as June 27, 2023, the court had raised concerns about non-compliance with the law mandating the appointment of the anti-corruption ombudsman. The bench noted that heavy expenditure is being incurred on the Lokayukta establishment, even though the appointment itself has not been made.
The court further recorded that since that initial warning, repeated orders have been passed, yet the state government has consistently sought additional time to update the court on the status of the selection process. In an affidavit dated June 25, 2025, the state government informed the court that the process of appointing the Lokayukta was on the verge of completion. However, the court observed that the process remains incomplete to this date.
Latest Hearing and Court Order
During the latest hearing, the state's counsel once again requested additional time to apprise the court of the current status. In response, the bench stated, While recording our displeasure, we grant two weeks' further time to the state counsel to apprise the court of the present status. The matter is now listed for April 1, marking another deadline in this protracted saga.
Background of Uttarakhand's Lokayukta Law
Uttarakhand enacted its Lokayukta law in 2011, becoming the first state in India to introduce a robust anti-corruption framework. This legislation envisages an independent body empowered to probe complaints against public officials, including ministers and senior bureaucrats. The law was brought into effect during the tenure of then Chief Minister BC Khanduri.
Despite this pioneering step, delays in appointing the Lokayukta have repeatedly undermined its effective implementation. The institutional framework continues to incur significant expenditure without a functional head, raising questions about governance and accountability in the state.
The court's expression of displeasure underscores the urgency of filling this critical position to ensure the anti-corruption mechanism operates as intended, safeguarding public trust and integrity in administration.
