Bengaluru, June 15 (PTI) Former Karnataka High Court Judge, Justice Bhimanagouda Sanganagouda Patil on Wednesday took oath as the state's new Lokayukta.

Also Read | UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres Calls for End to Violence Stemming From Religious Differences in India.

He took oath in Kannada, which was administered by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot in a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan's glass house.

Also Read | Coinbase Sacks 18% of Its Workforce Amid Cryptocurrency Crash.

Until his new appointment, which was announced on Tuesday, Justice Patil was serving as the Upalokayukta.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had recommended Justice Patil's appointment as the Lokayukta, after consulting the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, the Chairman Karnataka Legislative Council, the Speaker, Karnataka Legislative Assembly and the Leaders of Opposition in both the Houses of the State Legislature.

The post of the head of anti-corruption ombudsman in the state has been vacant after Justice P Vishwanath Shetty had stepped down as Karnataka Lokayukta in January, after five years of service.

CM Bommai, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah, Minister V Somanna, former Lokayuktas Santosh Hegde, Vishwanath Shetty, and several Judges and legislators were among those present at the event.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)