Lokpal

Opposition leaders slam Lokpal after it floats tender to buy 7 BMW cars

The opposition on Wednesday hit out at anti-graft ombudsman Lokpal after it floated a tender to procure seven luxurious BMW cars, saying the guardians of integrity are chasing luxury over legitimacy. Senior Congress leader and former home minister P Chidambaram questioned as to when judges of the Supreme Court are provided modest sedans, why do the chairman and six members of the Lokpal require BMW cars. "Why spend public money to acquire these cars? I hope that at least one or two members of the Lokpal have refused, or will refuse, to accept these cars," Chidambaram said on X. Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi also criticised the move and took a swipe at Lokpal. "I chaired the Parliamentary Committee on Lokpal. Dr. L.M. Singhvi first conceived idea of Lokpal in the early 1960s. To see this anti-corruption body now ordering BMWs for its members is tragic irony, the guardians of integrity chasing luxury over legitimacy," Singhvi said on X. In another post, he said, "8,70

Lokpal slammed for floating tender to buy 7 BMW cars worth ₹70 lakh each

German automaker BMW will reportedly be told to provide training for a week to Lokpal drivers and staff, including teaching them about the cars' electronic systems and operations

Lokpal invites CBI, ED officers on deputation for new inquiry wing

The Lokpal has sought applications from officers with experience in working with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) to join its inquiry wing on deputation. The applications have been invited for filling up of various posts i.e., deputy director (DD)/superintendent of police (SP), inquiry/investigation officer, assistant inquiry/investigation officer and personal assistant in the inquiry wing of Lokpal of India on a deputation basis, according to an official circular. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, came into force on January 1, 2014, when it received the assent of the President. However, it began functioning only on March 27, 2019, following the appointment of its chairperson and members. To discharge its statutory functions, Section 11 of the Act obligates the Lokpal to constitute an inquiry wing to conduct a preliminary inquiry into any offence punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, alleged to have been committed by th

Lokpal says complaints not in prescribed format will not be accepted

India's anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal recently said corruption complaints not in the prescribed format will not be entertained. In a circular dated June 5, it said the Lokpal did not have power to review its orders while noting "increasing instances of complainants desirous of a reconsideration of the verdict given by it". A corruption complaint can be made in the office of the Lokpal of India in person, by hand at the reception/registry of its office, by post; or online (https://lokpalonline.gov.in/lokpalonline). The complaints received in Lokpal of India, by any mode, that are not in prescribed form shall not be entertained at any level and would be filed without any action, according to the circular on procedure for dealing with the complaints received in the anti-corruption ombudsman. "There are increasing instances of complainants desirous of a reconsideration or review of the orders passed by the Lokpal of India," it added. The circular went on, "It is a settled position

Lokpal dismisses complaints against ex-Sebi chief Madhabi Puri Buch | Hindenburg case

In a major development, the high-profile case involving serious allegations against former Sebi chief Madhabi Puri Buch.

Lokpal dismisses complaints against ex-Sebi chief Buch in Adani case

Complaints against Madhabi Puri Buch in the Adani-Hindenburg matter were dismissed by the Lokpal for lacking evidence and being based on presumptions and assumptions

Lokpal dismisses all complaints against former Sebi chief Madhabi Puri Buch

Lokpal has dismissed complaints against former Sebi chief Madhabi Puri Buch, calling the Hindenburg-linked allegations speculative, unsubstantiated, and lacking any verifiable evidence

Delhi flyover 'irregularities': Govt may take call on Lokpal observations

The Delhi government may soon take a call on a recent Lokpal bench order that found six officers guilty of "criminal intent" and "misconduct" in connection with alleged irregularities related to the Rani Jhansi flyover, official sources said on Monday. The Lokpal, in its order passed earlier this month, noted that it can not exercise jurisdiction in the matter as it was time-barred and filed more than seven years after the occurrence of the alleged offence. "We are of the considered view that the Lokpal of India cannot exercise jurisdiction in the matter being barred by limitation. At the same time, we hasten to add that, it is open to the competent authority...and take it to its logical end including criminal proceedings before the competent court in accordance with law, if so advised," said the order by a Lokpal bench. The Lokpal, referring to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) enquiry reports in the matter, said the "misconduct with criminal intent" of the officers has come t

SC to hear on March 18 suo motu proceeding initiated over Lokpal's order

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on March 18 a suo motu proceeding in which it had stayed the Lokpal's order on entertaining complaints against sitting high court judges. A three-judge bench comprising Justices B R Gavai, Surya Kant, and Abhay S Oka is slated to hear the matter. The top court is dealing with a suo motu proceeding initiated over the January 27 order passed by the Lokpal. While hearing the matter on February 20, the apex court stayed the Lokpal order, saying it was "something very, very disturbing" and concerned the independence of the judiciary. The top court had issued notice and sought responses from the Centre, the Lokpal registrar and the person who filed complaints against a sitting high court judge. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, had said a high court judge would never fall within the ambit of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. Dealing with Lokpal's order on two specific complaints against the sitting high court judge, the

'Very disturbing': SC halts Lokpal's decision to probe high court judges

The Lokpal's order followed complaints that a High Court judge tried to influence two judges in a case involving a private company

Lokpal calls Sebi chief, Moitra for oral hearing over corruption charges

Anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal has called SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch and also complainants, including TMC MP Mahua Moitra, for "oral hearing" next month in connection with corruption complaints being heard by it, alleging impropriety and conflict of interest on the basis of a Hindenburg Research report, according to an official order. The Lokpal had on November 8 sought Buch's "explanation" on the complaints filed by Moitra, a Lok Sabha member, and two others. Buch, the chairperson of capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), was asked to submit her response within four weeks. Hearing the case, the Lokpal said the named RPS (respondent public servant) "has filed her response by way of affidavit sworn on 07.12.2024 in time, raising preliminary issues as well as giving explanation allegation-wise". "Further, we deem it appropriate that the RPS as well as the complainants can be given opportunity of oral hearing to clarify their positions taken in th

Lokpal seeks Sebi chief Madhabi Puri Buch's response on Hindenburg charges

Anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal on Friday sought SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch's "explanation" on complaints of impropriety and conflict of interest filed by a Lok Sabha member and two others on the basis of a report by US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research, according to an official order. The Lokpal, however, clarified its order is only a "procedural directive" and "not an expression of our opinion on any matter in issue, either way". Buch, the chairperson of capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has been asked to submit her response within four weeks, according to the order. "...We deem it appropriate to call upon the named RPS (respondent public servant) to offer explanation qua the allegations made against her in the respective complainant and elaborated in the concerned explanatory affidavit," reads the order signed by Lokpal chairperson Justice A M Khanwilkar and five other members. "This opportunity is being afforded to the named RPS as

Complaint against Sebi chief falls short of persuading us to probe: Lokpal

Anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal has said that a complaint by a Lok Sabha MP alleging impropriety and conflict of interest by capital markets regulator SEBI's chairperson, Madhabi Puri Buch "falls short" of persuading it to order any probe. While deciding on two complaints filed by different individuals on the basis of a report by US-based "activist short-seller" Hindenburg Research, it asked the complainants to file affidavits mentioning details of the efforts made by them "to verify the authenticity and credibility of the claims in the recent report of Hindenburg Research published on 10.08.2024." It also asked them to articulate the allegations against the "person concerned" which may constitute an "offence of corruption" within the ambit of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, 'provision wise', as per the Lokpal's order dated September 20, which was put up in public domain "to obviate the possibility of speculation and misinformation including politicisation of the ...

Mahua Moitra files Lokpal complaint against Sebi Chief Buch over Adani ties

TMC parliamentarian Mahua Moitra's complaint points out alleged irregularities between Sebi Chairperson Madhabi Buch's statement to the Sebi board and the board's disclosure on the matter

Lokpal forms inquiry wing to probe graft cases against public servants

Over a decade after a law governing it was passed, anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal has constituted an inquiry wing for conducting preliminary probe into graft-related offences committed by public servants. The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 (Act of 2013) came into force on January 1, 2014, when it received assent of the President. However, it began functioning only on March 27, 2019, following the appointment of its chairperson and members. To discharge its statutory functions, Section 11 of the Act obligates the Lokpal to constitute an inquiry wing for the purpose of conducting preliminary inquiry into any offence punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, alleged to have been committed by the specified public servants and functionaries. The full bench of Lokpal, in its meeting held on August 30, 2024, has decided to constitute an inquiry wing of the Lokpal, according to an official order. Lokpal chairperson has been authorised to commence the selection process for

Former SC judge A M Khanwilkar administered oath as Lokpal chairperson

Former Supreme Court judge Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar was administered the oath of office as the Lokpal chairperson by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Sunday, officials said. Justice (retired) Khanwilkar, 66, served as a judge of the apex court from May 13, 2016 to July 29, 2022. The President administered the oath of office of chairperson, Lokpal to Khanwilkar at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Sunday evening, according to an official statement. Justice (retired) Khanwilkar was appointed as the chairperson of the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal last month, nearly two years after the post fell vacant following the retirement of Pinaki Chandra Ghose on May 27, 2022.

Former SC judge A M Khanwilkar appointed as the Lokpal chairperson

Former Supreme Court judge A M Khanwilkar was appointed as the Lokpal chairperson on Tuesday, according to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Justice Khanwilkar retired from the Supreme Court in July 2022. According to a communique from the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President also appointed former high court judges Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Sanjay Yadav and Ritu Raj Awasthi as judicial members of the Lokpal. Sushil Chandra, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Tirkey were appointed as non-judicial members of the anti-corruption ombudsman.

CBI asks lawyer Dehadrai to appear before it in connection with Moitra case

The CBI has asked lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai to appear before it on Thursday in connection with its probe against former TMC MP Mahua Moitra in a Lokpal-referred corruption complaint against her, officials said Tuesday. Dehadrai, who was once close to Moitra, had levelled serious corruption allegations against the former MP which were strongly refuted by her, they said. The agency has asked Dehadrai to appear before the AC-3 unit of the agency at 2 PM on Thursday to record his version, they said. The CBI has started a probe into the allegations of corruption against Moitra on a reference from the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had approached the Lokpal with a complaint against Moitra over allegations that she had taken bribes to raise questions in Parliament. Last month, Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha after the House adopted the report of its Ethics Committee that held her guilty of accepting gifts and illegal gratification from a businessman to ..

Delhi High Court to pronounce order on Shibu Soren's plea on Monday

The Delhi High Court will on Monday pronounce order on a petition by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Shibu Soren challenging the proceedings initiated against him by the Lokpal on the basis of a complaint by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey alleging corruption. The verdict will be pronounced by a single-judge bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad. In the complaint made in August 2020, BJP leader Dubey claimed that "Shibu Soren and his family members acquired huge wealth and properties by misusing the public exchequer and have been grossly indulged in corruption". On September 12, 2022, the high court had stayed the Lokpal proceedings while opining that the matter required consideration. Assailing the complaint as well as the Lokpal proceedings, Soren has argued before the high court that the case against him was "purely malafide" and "politically motivated". He argued that the complaint could not have been entertained by the ombudsman as the allegations pertained to a period that was seven years

Lokpal has ordered CBI probe against Mahua Moitra, says BJP MP Dubey

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday said the Lokpal has ordered a CBI probe against TMC MP Mahua Moitra on his complaint of alleged corruption by her. This comes days after the BJP MP accused Moitra of asking questions in the Lok Sabha to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for gifts. The matter is being looked into by the Ethics Committee of the Lok Sabha. Moitra has denied the charge of receiving any pecuniary benefit. In a post on X, Dubey wrote, "On my complaint, Lokpal today ordered a CBI inquiry against accused Mahua Moitra for indulging in corruption at the cost of national security." However, there was no official word from the Lokpal.