Pranoy Kumar Musahary sworn in as first Meghalaya Lokayukta chair

Shillong : Justice Pranoy Kumar Musahary, who retired as a judge of the Gauhati High Court, was sworn in on Tuesday as the chairperson of Meghalaya's first Lokayukta.

Justice Musahary was administered the oath of office by state Governor Tathagata Roy at a ceremony held at the Raj Bhawan here.

Among those present in the ceremony were Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui , Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma and senior government and defence officials.

Following his swearing in, Musahary told the media: "I appeal to the public to cooperate with the Lokayukta by filing complaints about people indulging in corruption."

He also requested the Conrad Sangma-led government to take necessary steps for appointment of other four members of the Lokayukta immediately.

"I will request the government to appoint officers like the secretary to the commission who will make the preliminary inquiry into the allegations made in the complaints," Musahary said.

Asked about the high profile cases in Meghalaya, the Chairperson said: "Let the complaints come first ... For the time being, I will ask the police to make preliminary inquiries."

The selection committee named Musahary as the chairman of the ombudsman in July after the Supreme Court in April asked several states, including Meghalaya, to complete the process at the earliest.

The previous Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government had introduced the new Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill, 2014, for repealing the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act, 2012.