<p>The senior-most Supreme Court judge Justice R M Lodha, who is to succeed Chief Justice P Sathasivam, denied on Monday that he was in the race to be the first Lokpal of the country.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Justice Lodha will be taking over as the next Chief Justice of India after Justice Sathasivam demits office on April 26.<br /><br />“I don’t know from where it comes. The race has begun. I am not in the consideration. I have not even demitted the office,” he remarked while hearing a public interest litigation.<br /><br />His observation assumed significance as it could make Justice Sathasivam emerge as the strong candidate to head the anti-corruption watch-dog amid reports that the Chief Justice had nominated Justice H L Dattu, the second senior most after Justice Lodha, in the selection panel to choose the Lokpal. The Prime Minister-led panel for selection of the Lokpal would have as members Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India or a judge of the apex court nominated by him and an eminent jurist who could be nominated by the President or any of the members. <br /><br />Dattu who was elevated to the apex court on December 17, 2008, is the second senior-most judge after Justice Lodha.The Centre has sought nominations of eligible candidates for choosing the chairperson and eight members of Lokpal. The last date of sending nomination is February 7.<br /></p>
<p>The senior-most Supreme Court judge Justice R M Lodha, who is to succeed Chief Justice P Sathasivam, denied on Monday that he was in the race to be the first Lokpal of the country.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Justice Lodha will be taking over as the next Chief Justice of India after Justice Sathasivam demits office on April 26.<br /><br />“I don’t know from where it comes. The race has begun. I am not in the consideration. I have not even demitted the office,” he remarked while hearing a public interest litigation.<br /><br />His observation assumed significance as it could make Justice Sathasivam emerge as the strong candidate to head the anti-corruption watch-dog amid reports that the Chief Justice had nominated Justice H L Dattu, the second senior most after Justice Lodha, in the selection panel to choose the Lokpal. The Prime Minister-led panel for selection of the Lokpal would have as members Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India or a judge of the apex court nominated by him and an eminent jurist who could be nominated by the President or any of the members. <br /><br />Dattu who was elevated to the apex court on December 17, 2008, is the second senior-most judge after Justice Lodha.The Centre has sought nominations of eligible candidates for choosing the chairperson and eight members of Lokpal. The last date of sending nomination is February 7.<br /></p>
