Recommendation for jurist in Lokpal panel awaits approval: Govt to SC

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The Centre today told the Supreme Court that a recommendation for induction of an eminent jurist in the selection committee for the appointment of Lokpal was made at a recent meeting of the panel chaired by the Prime Minister and approval was awaited.

A bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and R Banumathi observed that since steps for the appointment of Lokpal, the anti-corruption ombudsman, had already been taken, there was no need to pass any further order at this stage.

"As steps for appointment of the Lokpal have been taken, we do not consider it expedient to pass any further orders at this stage except to express the expectation of the court that the appointment of Lokpal will be made at the earliest possible," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing on May 15.

Attorney General K K Venugopal told the bench that at the April 10 meeting of selection panel, recommendations "for induction/appointment of an eminent jurist in the committee has been made and approval of the said recommendation is presently pending."