Former Bombay High Court Judge Justice Sandeep Kashinath Shinde has officially assumed office as the new Lokayukta of Goa. Following an earlier announcement by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant that his name had been cleared for the post, Justice Shinde was administered the oath of office by Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju on March 4, 2026. The swearing-in ceremony took place in Dona Paula and was attended by prominent state figures, including the Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao.
The critical anti-corruption post had remained vacant for over a year, ever since the tenure of the previous Lokayukta, Justice (Retd) Ambadas Joshi, concluded in December 2024. In early January, as noted in the provided image
CM Sawant first disclosed the selection of Justice Shinde, stating that his name was being forwarded to the High Court for formal concurrence. With the completion of these procedural formalities, the institution of the state’s anti-corruption ombudsman is now fully functional once again.
The appointment has been met with positive reception, with expectations that pending matters will now be expedited. Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao welcomed the development, highlighting that there are approximately twenty pending anti-corruption cases awaiting logical conclusions. Alemao further emphasized the need for the government to provide the Lokayukta and the vigilance department with adequate financial, administrative, and staffing support to ensure the institution can operate effectively.