New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the Centre for dragging its feet in appointing “corruption ombudsman” Lokpal and observed that the Lokpal law could not be rendered ineffective due to the delay in taking a decision by the government on the status of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and L. Nageswara Rao, hearing a writ petition filed by NGO Common Cause challenging the provisions of Lokpal Act and its Rules, said the law should be made workable and taken to its logical end.
The CJI told attorney-general Mukul Rohatgi, “You (government) seems to be always interested in cleansing the system, then why are you dragging your feet.”
Tell reasons for Lokpal delay: Supreme Court
Chief Justice of India T.S. Thakur told attorney-general Mukul Rohatgi, “Appointment of Lokpal is in the right direction. The Lokpal which is intended to bring probity in public life must be allowed to work whether you amend the law or not.”
The bench asked the attorney-general the reasons for the delay of three years in carrying out the necessary amendment to the Act. The AG said an amendment bill was introduced in Parliament and later it was sent to the standing committee which suggested some changes and the bill is still pending. The AG submitted that the Centre was reviewing the entire Lokpal Act and the rules.
The bench pointed out that the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 were passed in December 2013 and they became a law in January, 2014. “We will interpret the rules in a manner to make it functional, till Parliament could amend the rules,” the CJI observed.
