Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jan 8: Former Bombay High Court judge Justice Sandeep Shinde is set to be appointed as the next Lokayukta of Goa, with the state government finalising his name for the post.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant announced on Wednesday that the government would appoint Justice Shinde to head the state’s anti-corruption watchdog. The position has remained vacant since December 2024, when the tenure of Justice (retd) Ambadas Joshi came to an end, rendering the Lokayukta’s office non-functional.

Earlier in the day, two names were deliberated upon at a meeting attended by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, after which Justice Shinde’s name was finalised. Due to the prolonged vacancy, nearly 14 cases are currently pending before the Lokayukta.

Justice Joshi had been appointed in April 2021, around six months after the term of his predecessor, Justice (retd) P.K. Misra, concluded on September 17, 2020. Prior to Joshi’s appointment, the state government had finalised Justice (retd) U.V. Bakre for the role, but he withdrew his consent in March 2021, citing personal reasons.

With Justice Shinde’s appointment, the state government aims to restore the functioning of the Lokayukta institution and address the backlog of pending cases.