In Brief
The Supreme Court examined whether it was misled by the State of Uttar Pradesh in appointing Justice Virendra Singh (Retd.) as Lokayukta based on claimed consensus among constitutional functionaries. Upon review of subsequent correspondence, the Court found the State's representation to be inaccurate and the claimed agreement between the Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition was not borne out by record. Finding serious doubt about genuine consensus and noting the Chief Justice's reservations about the appointee, the Court recalled its 16 December 2015 order and instead appointed Justice Sanjay Misra, whose name appeared in common discussions, applying the principle that Chief Justice's opinion carries primacy in Lokayukta appointments.
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