Justice retired Sanjay Mishra sworn in as new UP Lokayukta

Lucknow: Retired judge of Allahabad High Court Justice Sanjay Mishra was on Sunday sworn in as the new Lokayukta of Uttar Pradesh bringing to an end a bitter year-long feud between Raj Bhawan and the state government on the appointment of the anti-graft ombudsman.

The new Lokayukta was administered oath by Governor Ram Naik at a brief function at Raj Bhawan. He would replace justice (retd) NK Mehrotra, who was appointed Lokayukta on March 16, 2006 and had a nearly ten-year tenure.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was present at the swearing-in ceremony along with his senior cabinet ministers.

Besides the chief minister, two other members of the selection panel -- Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court DY Chandrachud and Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Swami Prasad Maurya -- were present. Expelled SP leader Amar Singh was also present.

The appointment of Lokayukta had snowballed into a major controversy last year with the Governor refusing to accept the name of Justice (retd) Raveendra Singh and asking the chief minister to follow proper procedure for selecting the ombudsman.