Kolkata, 1 December (H.S.) :

The West Bengal government on Monday appointed retired Calcutta High Court judge Rabindranath Samanta as the state’s new Lokayukta, formally strengthening the anti-corruption watchdog ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

The decision was taken at a statutory meeting held at the state secretariat, Nabanna, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Officials confirmed that the selection committee unanimously approved Justice Samanta’s name, even though Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari boycotted the meeting for the fourth consecutive year.

Justice Samanta, who retired from the High Court in June 2023, succeeds Justice Ashim Kumar Roy, whose extended tenure ended in August 2025. His formal appointment will be notified by the Governor, following which he will take the oath of office.

The state government said the appointment of the new Lokayukta will further strengthen mechanisms to act against corruption and ensure administrative accountability.

Adhikari, however, rejected the meeting as “morally unacceptable,” alleging that he could not sit with a “corrupt government.” Despite his boycott, officials emphasized that all constitutional procedures were duly followed.

Justice Samanta brings with him more than three decades of judicial and administrative experience, including service as Registrar of the Calcutta High Court, Chief Judge of the City Civil Court, and currently as chairperson of the West Bengal Real Estate Appellate Tribunal.

The appointment comes at a time of heightened political tension in the state, with issues such as the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and recent incidents of violence deepening the political divide. The Lokayukta’s installation is expected to play a key role in reinforcing transparency and institutional oversight in the run-up to the 2026 elections.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh