JOIN USIn a statement here, the Team said the government was “developing cold feet” on the key provision of the Lokpal 2011 that allowed for investigation by the Lokpal into charge of corruption against public servant. It said it was a mystery to see the government going back on the issue now.
The government’s own Lokpal Bill 2011, in its section 12(1) provided that: “Not withstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, the Lokpal shall constitute an investigating wing for the purpose of conducting investigation of any offence alleged to have been committed by a public servant, punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988,” the statement said.
“Evidently the government and the politicians know this and realise that if the power of investigation is conferred on an independent Lokpal, their coffers would start drying up,” Team Anna further alleged.