SC asks Centre to explain Lokpal steps taken

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Union Government to explain the steps taken so far on the appointment of Lokpal, saying much time has been passed, since the law was enacted for setting up the anti-corruption ombudsman.

A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul told Attorney General K K Venugopal to file an affidavit in this regard by January 17.

The top law officer of the country submitted that the search committee has been constituted and it has to frame its own rules for proceeding further.

"Search committee has been constituted. It has to evolve its own procedure," he said.

The bench, however, asked him to bring on record by way of an affidavit the steps taken so far in the matter.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO 'Common Cause', contended the government must put out all details including composition of the search committee in public domain.

Venugopal said the details have been disclosed on the website.

The court was hearing a contempt petition filed by the NGO.

The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act 2013 got the assent from President on January 1, 2014. It was notified on January 16, 2014.

The selection panel for the Lokpal comprised the Prime Minister, CJI, Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of Opposition and an eminent jurist.

However, leader of the largest party in Lok Sabha, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had refused to participate in the meeting.