Lokayukta passes away

Sikkim’s first Lokayukta, Justice [retd] AN Ray passed away on the night of 30 November at his residence in Kolkata following a cardiac arrest. He was 68 years old. Justice Ray, who was appointed the Lokayukta of Sikkim in March earlier this year, began his association with Sikkim much earlier, on 12 January, 2007 when he was transferred to the Sikkim High Court. He assumed office as the Chief Justice, High Court of Sikkim, on 27 January 2007 and retired on 31 October, 2008.

Justice Ray was appointed as Sikkim's first Lokayukta on 02 March earlier this year and had heard three corruption cases since he assumed office. The Sikkim Legislative Assembly had passed the Sikkim Lokayukta Bill on 26 February, 2014.

Before his appointment as the Lokayukta, Justice Ray had also served as the first Chairman of the Sikkim State Human Rights Commission, a post he held till November 2013.

His death has come as a shock to all here in the state and condolence messages have poured in from all quarters.

In his condolence message, the Governor of Sikkim, Shriniwas Patil, conveys, “I am deeply shocked and saddened by the news of sudden demise of Shri Justice A.N. Ray, Hon’ble Chairman, Sikkim Lokayukta following cardiac arrest on 30 November, 2014 at Kolkata.

Late Justice Ray was a Jurist with impeccable integrity and demeanour. His demise is a great loss to Sikkim’s judicial fraternity which will be difficult to compensate in immediate future.

At this time of bereavement, I join the people of Sikkim to offer my deepest condolence. I pray to the almighty for bestowing strength to his family members to cope with this great loss”.

Condoling Justice Ray's passing away, Chief Minister Pawan Chamling remembered him as a respectable person with high professional ideals, adding that his demise has left a huge void in judicial circles

Sikkim Krantikari Morcha party spokesperson Kunga Nima Lepcha has also condoled the passing away.

General Secretary, Bar Association of Sikkim, Advocate Jorgay Namkha has also expressed deep sorrow and condolences on the demise of Justice Ray on his behalf and on behalf of the Bar here.

Justice Ray was born on 31 October 1946 in Kolkata and was enrolled as an Advocate in the Calcutta High Court on 04 August 1970 and practiced in Calcutta High Court in Civil matters. He was appointed as a permanent judge of the Calcutta High Court on 06 August, 1990 and served as the Acting Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court from 07 June, 2004 to 10 Jan, 2005. He was later appointed as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court on 2005 and was transferred to the Sikkim High Court.