SHIMLA 3rd February 2012 : Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta (Retd.) took oath of the office of Lokayukta, Himachal Pradesh, in the presence of Smt. Urmila Singh, Governor and Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, in an impressive swearing in ceremony organized at Raj Bhawan here today.
Ms. Harinder Hira, Additional Chief Secretary read the warrant of appointment issued by the Governor, Himachal Pradesh whereafter Shri Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta makes and subscribe the oath as per prescribed form in the presence of the Governor.
Shri Tulsi Ram Sharma, Speaker, Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Shri Ravinder Singh Ravi, IPH Minister, Shri Narender Bragta, Horticulture Minister, Shri Jai Ram Thakur, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, Smt. Vidya Stokes, MLA and Leader of Opposition in HP Legislative Assembly, Members of State Legislative Assembly, Justice Pritam Pal, Lokayukta, Haryana, Justice R.B. Mishra, Acting Chief Justice, Himachal Pradesh High Court, Judges of Himachal Pradesh High Court, Shri Bhim Sen, Chief Information Commissioner, Dr. A.D.N. Bajpai, Vice Chancellor, HP University, Dr. D.S.Manhas, Director General of Police, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, retired Judges of the High Court, Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of various Boards and Corporations, representatives of various organizations and prominent people of the town were present on the occasion.
Bio-Data of Mr. Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta
Mr. Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta, B.A. LL.B Born on April 23, 1944 in Tehsil Jubbal, District Shimla. After graduation, obtained the Degree of LL.B. from Delhi University in the year 1970. Enrolled as an Advocate on July 22, 1970. Practised in Service Matters, Constitutional, Administrative Law, Civil & Labour Law, Criminal Law and Taxation in the High Court of Himachal Pradesh. Held the position as Secretary of the High Court Bar Association during the year 1976-77 and Vice-President of the High Court Bar Association during the year 1986-87 and w.e.f. 15-07-1988 to 16-12-1988. Remained the President of the High Court Bar Association w.e.e.f. 17-12-1988 to 21-07-1989. Appointed as Deputy Advocate General of Himachal Pradesh on February 28, 1980. Conducted cases on behalf of the State before the Central Administrative Tribunal and H.P. State Administrative Tribunal. During this period, he was also assigned duties and functions of the Advocate General from December, 1988 to March, 1989. Appeared as counsel for H.P. Vidhan Sabha before Lokayukta. Remained Vigilance Officer in the Department of Advocate General of Himachal Pradesh. He is a life member of the Executive Committee of the Indian Law Institute; Member
of the Executive Council for the All India Law Institute (State Unit). Appointed Additional Judge of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh from August 20, 1991 and permanent Judge on July 28, 1995. Held the office of Executive Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Service Authority since December 26, 1995. Appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court on 3rd February, 2006 and Retired on 23rd April, 2009. Appointed as Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal on 18th October, 2010, and on being appointed as “lokayukta” of Himachal Pradesh relinquished the said post on 31st December, 2011.