A Lokpal order that stated the anti-corruption organization might consider complaints against High Court judges was delayed by the Supreme Court on Thursday. The case will be heard by the supreme court again in March.
The Supreme Court stated during its hearing of the suo motu petition against the January 27 decision issued by Lokpal that the ruling pertains to the judiciary’s independence. Justice B.R. Gavai, who heard the matter, noted that the ruling was “something very very disturbing.” The three-judge panel, which included Justices B.R. Gavai, Surya Kant, and Abhay S. Oka, noted that the issue was very significant.
In addition, the Supreme Court sent notices regarding the case to the Center and the Lokpal registrar, requesting their answers. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, speaking on behalf of the Union government, stated that the High Court’s justices will not be subject to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act of 2013, according to Bar and Bench.
The Lokpal, in its order, had said, โWe make it amply clear that by this order we have decided a singular issue finally – as to whether the judges of the High Court established by an Act of Parliament come within the ambit of Section 14 of the Act of 2013, in the affirmative. No more and no less. In that, we have not looked into or examined the merits of the allegations at all.โ
Additionally, the bench prohibited the complainant in the initial case before Lokpal from disclosing the High Court judge’s names. Additionally, the complainant was instructed to maintain the complaint’s confidentiality.
While considering two allegations against a sitting High Court extra judge, the anti-corruption agency issued the order. The judge allegedly persuaded a different district court in the state and another judicial officer of the same High Court to side with the private enterprise that had filed a lawsuit against the complaint. The judge was allegedly a customer of the private firm when he was a practicing attorney.
