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PANJIM: In a set back of sorts to the cause of Lokayukta in Goa, former Supreme Court judge RV Raveendran, has declined the government’s request to take over the position.
A high level government source confirmed that following a suggestion from a senior Supreme Court judge, Justice Raveendran an eminent jurist, was approached to take over as Lokayukta of Goa, but he expressed his inability to do so. “He said that after retirement, he has not taken up any assignment and he doesn’t intend to do so in future,” a source stated.
Justice Raveendran retired in October 2011 on superannuation. He has seen several high profile cases such as the OBC reservation, 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts and the Krishna Godavari basin cases.
It is also learnt that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is not in favour of appointing former Karnataka Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde as he does not want a media centric Lokayukta.
“Chief Minister wants a candidate who is investigation centric and not media centric. He feels that Hegde has a bad attraction for media,” the source disclosed.
Four names were reportedly suggested by the committee headed by Advocate General which was not acceptable to the senior Supreme Court judge, who recommended not to go ahead with these appointees.
“Government is keeping the post vacant for some time till it finds a suitable candidate,” the source said, claiming that the names were not disclosed to anybody.
Thirty-six posts have already been cleared for the office of Goa Lokayukta which will be set up at the old government hospital Ribandar premises.
