Earlier applications for Lokpal panel no longer valid: Search panel

Those who applied for the Lokpal panel during the term of the previous committee will have to apply again, as the Search Committee on Wednesday ruled that their earlier applications are no longer valid.

The Search Committee held its second meeting for recommending a panel of names for appointment as Chairperson and members of Lokpal and took note of the applications and nominations received in response to its advertisement issued on February 6.

"It also took note of earlier applications received during the term of previous Search Committee and decided that as the term of the earlier committee had ended, these applications are not valid. Interested persons may apply afresh if they are eligible," sources said.

The committee would hold its next meeting on February 25.

In its first meeting on January 30, the Search Committee had decided to call applications and nominations from eligible persons through an advertisement, which was issued later on February 6.

As per a government document, the Search Committee was constituted under Section 4(3) of Lokayuktas Act, 2013 for the purpose of recommending a panel of names for the appointment of Chairperson and members of Lokpal.

The committee comprises Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai (former judge of Supreme Court), Chairperson, and members Justice Sakha Ram Singh Yadav (former judge of Allahabad High Court), Ranjit Kumar (former Solicitor General of India), Arundhati Bhattacharya (former CMD of SBI), Dr Lalit K. Panwar (former Secretary), Shabbirhusein S. Khandwawala (retired Director General of Gujarat), A. Surya Prakash (Chairman, Prasar Bharti, and Dr A.S. Kiran Kumar (former Chairman of ISRO).

--IANS

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