RANCHI, April 22 -- Just two days before a critical high court hearing regarding delays in constitutional appointments, retired Justice Amitabh Kumar Gupta was sworn in as Lokayukta of Jharkhand on Tuesday. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar administered the oath of office at Lok Bhawan, effectively meeting a strict judicial ultimatum. The appointment comes as a direct response to a 10-day deadline issued on April 13 by a bench led by Chief Justice MS Sonak. The court had characterised the continued vacancy of the state's anti-corruption ombudsman as "no longer acceptable" and was set to review the state's progress this Thursday. The ceremony, held at the Durbar Hall, was attended by Chief Minister Hemant Soren and several cabinet ministers. State chief secretary Avinash Kumar read the warrant of appointment before Justice Gupta, a retired judge of Jharkhand High Court, officially took charge. Other notable attendees included Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji, Ranchi mayor Roshni Khalakho, and DGP Tadasha Mishra. The post of Lokayukta had been lying vacant since the tenure of Justice (Retd) DN Upadhyay ended years ago. The delay became the subject of a PIL, with the HC repeatedly pulling up the state government for failing to fill key statutory positions, including the Information Commission and the Lokayukta. By finalising the appointment 48 hours ahead of the scheduled hearing, the state government avoided potential strictures from the bench. Justice Gupta, who previously served as a Special CBI Judge and the state's law secretary, inherits a significant backlog. With the office non-functional for years, around 3,000 complaints regarding administrative corruption and grievances are pending disposal....