Justice Sunil Shukre sworn in as Maharashtra lokayukta

Indian Opinion Analysis

Justice Shukre takes charge at a time when the Maharashtra government's 2022 bill to expand the lokayukta's jurisdiction to the chief minister and cabinet remains pending. The original 1971 Act excluded the CM from scrutiny, a gap the new bill aims to close. Unlike the central Lokpal, which covers the prime minister, state lokayuktas have varied powers. The effectiveness of this appointment will depend on whether the state legislature passes the pending bill and how the office uses its expanded remit if it does. The government has not announced a timeline for the bill's passage.