Justice Ravindran emerges as frontrunner to succeed Santosh Hegde

As the countdown has begun for Lok Ayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde’s exit, the state government is exploring various options, including keeping the post vacant for some time till it finds a suitable successor.

The state government is considering supreme court judge, justice RV Ravindran, as an ideal choice to head the anti-corruption watch dog. But justice Ravindran will retire from the supreme court bench only in mid-October.  Hence, the government may keep the post vacant till November after Hegde retires on August 2.

Meanwhile, the government may appoint one or two Upa Lok Ayuktas to help the incumbent Upa Lok Ayukta SB Majage.

The two leading contenders for the Lok Ayukta post were former supreme court judge Shivaraj Patil and former high court chief justice SR Bannurmath. But both of them are Lingayats. So is chief minister BS Yeddyurappa.

The caste equation has forced BSY to look beyond, especially when the Lok Ayukta’s office is investigating corruption cases against the CM and his family.

The BJP fears that the Opposition would try to put it on the back foot if a Lingayat is appointed as Lok Ayukta. The government will have to consult Opposition leaders in legislative asssembly and Council to find the right successor to Hegde and the Opposition is likely to reject the two judges, citing the caste equation.

And there is also the remote possibility of the Yeddyurappa government requesting justice Hegde to stay on for a second term. With Hegde already declaring his unwillingness to continue, such a move would counter the Opposition’s charges that the government is not committed in its fight against corruption.