SC directs centre to file affidavit on steps taken for appointment of Lokpal

The Supreme Court Friday directed the Centre to place on affidavit steps taken till date for Lokpal's appointment and expressed its displeasure over the tardy progress made in this regard.

The apex court asked Attorney General K K Venugopal to file an affidavit by January 17, when the matter will be taken up again for hearing, explaining in detail the various steps, including the setting up of a search committee by the competent authority for recommending names for the appointment.

The search committee will forward the names to the selection committee members comprising the prime minister, the leader of the single largest opposition party, the Lok Sabha speaker and an eminent jurist.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul said everything on the issue has to come on record through an affidavit.

The attorney general had submitted that progress has been made since September last year over the appointment of Lokpal and wanted to place before the bench a prepared note.

However, the bench declined to accept the note and said, "Bring everything on record what you have done since September 2018".

After making some oral remarks, the bench in its order said, "We request the attorney general to ensure that the steps taken till date are brought on record by means of an affidavit of the competent authority which shall be filed within two weeks from today. List the matter again on January 17."