New Delhi: Former Supreme Court judge P C Ghose has reportedly been finalised as the Lokpal. The Selection Committee for the Lokpal reached its decision during a meeting held on Friday. A notification in this regard is expected to be made early next week.
Justice Ghose was among the leading contenders who were shortlisted for the position by the committee comprising of the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, Lok Sabha Speaker and an eminent jurist. He will be the country’s first Lokpal.
Presently a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Ghose retired from the Supreme Court in 2017 after serving around four years.
His appointment may face controversy as the opposition did not have a voice in the selection committee. Congress’ Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge was the special invitee to the committee, however, he turned down the invitation. His argument was that, as a special invitee, he would not have any voting rights.
The Lokpal, by law, will have the authority to investigate complaints against incumbent and former prime ministers, Union ministers, Members of Parliament, government and public sector undertakings employees, and key employees of non-governmental organisations receiving more than Rs 10 lakh a year in foreign contributions, among others.
The Lokpal can direct any investigating agency, including the CBI to probe allegations under the Prevention of Corruption Act and will be working with the Central Vigilance Commission.
