The Karnataka government will have to restart its lookout for a new Lokayukta after the Governor formally rejected the name of Justice S R Bannurmath on Monday.

A communication from the Raj Bhavan states, "Having considered the proposal received from the government through the chief secretary, regarding appointment of Justice S R Bannurmath as Karnataka Lokayukta, and having taken into consideration the contents of subsequent correspondence between His Excellency the Governor and the Hon'ble chief minister has formally rejected the advice tendered by the Hon'ble chief minister in this regard.  The file has been returned to the government."

The Karnataka government was adamant that Justice Bannurmath should be made the Lokayukta. However the Governor had repeatedly refused to accept this appointment on the grounds that there certain irregularities against his name.