Lokpal of India
Context: Lokpal of India adopts a new motto: "Empower Citizens, Expose Corruption" to strengthen its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Important Pointers:
Statutory Basis & Composition: The Lokpal of India is a statutory anti-corruption body established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. It consists of a Chairperson and up to 8 Members, with at least 50% being Judicial Members.
Social & Professional Representation: At least 50% of the Members must belong to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Minorities, or be Women. Members must have a minimum of 25 years of expertise in fields like anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance, finance, banking, law, and management.
Eligibility – Chairperson & Members:
The Chairperson must be a sitting or retired Chief Justice of India (CJI), a Judge of the Supreme Court (SC), or an eminent person.
Judicial Members must be sitting or retired Judges of the Supreme Court or Chief Justices of High Courts.
Other Members must be eminent persons with expertise in relevant fields mentioned above.
Ineligibility Criteria: A person is ineligible if they are:
Under 45 years of age,
Convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude,
Holding any office of profit/trust or affiliated to any political party,
A sitting Member of Parliament (MP), Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) or part of any Panchayat/Municipality,
Removed or dismissed from service of the Union or State Government.
Appointment Process: Members are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a Selection Committee consisting of:
Prime Minister (Chairperson)
Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Leader of Opposition (or Leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha)
Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the CJI
One eminent jurist nominated by the President
Tenure: Lokpal Members serve a term of 5 years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
Jurisdiction: Lokpal has jurisdiction over the Prime Minister (except in cases related to international relations, national security, public order, atomic energy, and space), Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Group A, B, C, and D officers of the Central Government.
Powers:
Has superintendence over the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE), i.e. the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), for referred cases.
Can authorize search and seizure of documents during investigation.
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) must report to the Lokpal on complaints referred to it.
Lokpal has the powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC), 1908 for conducting preliminary inquiries and investigations.