Supreme Court reserves verdict on pleas seeking appointment of Lokpal | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Supreme Court reserves verdict on pleas seeking appointment of Lokpal

New Delhi | ByPTI
Mar 28, 2017 09:44 PM IST

During the hearing, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said the Lokpal cannot be appointed in the current scenario as amendments regarding the definition of the Leader of Opposition in the Lokpal Act was pending in Parliament.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas seeking the appointment of Lokpal in the country.

During hearing, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said the Lokpal cannot be appointed in the current scenario.(HT File Photo)
During hearing, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said the Lokpal cannot be appointed in the current scenario.(HT File Photo)

A bench headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi said, “We have heard the arguments of all the parties. Judgement (is) reserved.”

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

During the hearing, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said the Lokpal cannot be appointed in the current scenario as amendments regarding the definition of the Leader of Opposition in the Lokpal Act was pending in Parliament.

As per the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act of 2013, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha will be part of the Lokpal selection panel. At present, there is no Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

He said that the Congress, the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha, lacks requisite number of MPs. Therefore, the Leader of Opposition post was not granted to it.

“Unless the proposed amendment making Leader of the Largest Opposition party as Leader of Opposition is passed by Parliament, the Lokpal can’t be appointed,” Rohatgi said.

Senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, appearing for NGO Common Cause, said that even though the Lokpal Bill was passed by the Parliament in 2013 and came into effect in 2014, the Lokpal is not being appointed by the government deliberately.

He said that the Lokpal Act mandates that the Lokpal should be appointed expeditiously.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Lok Sabha Election 2024 LIVE along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On