Panel seeks action on pending Lokpal wings

A Parliamentary panel on Thursday suggested urgent steps to operationalise the inquiry and prosecution wings of the Lokpal. The panel noted that “operationalisation of these statutory wings remains incomplete” despite efforts made to utilise deputation-based arrangements until regular appointments are made.

“In view of its earlier recommendation that both wings be fully constituted within six months, the committee reiterates that urgent steps be taken to operationalise the inquiry and prosecution wings through regular appointments or deputation, so that the Lokpal may effectively discharge its statutory mandate without further delay,” said the 159th report by the Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, tabled in the Rajya Sabha.

To discharge its statutory functions, The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 obligates the anti-corruption ombudsman to constitute an inquiry wing, headed by a director, for the purpose of conducting a preliminary inquiry into corruption-related offences. The Act has a similar provision for the constitution of a prosecution wing headed by a director of prosecution.

Although the Act came into force in 2014, Lokayukta began functioning only on March 27, 2019, following the appointment of its chairperson and members.

The Lokpal has constituted an inquiry wing on September 5, 2024, and it is also exploring the option of appointing serving officers on deputation in view of the legislative intent for the conduct of inquiries by its own wing, according to the report.

With regard to the prosecution wing, the committee said that although the full bench of Lokpal has resolved to constitute it, progress has been limited in view of the small number of cases presently before courts.

It, however, reiterated that “statutory compliance cannot remain contingent on the volume of cases and urged that the constitution of the prosecution wing be taken forward expeditiously, said the report related to “Demands for Grants (2025-26)” pertaining to the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT).

The panel, in its report, has also sought to know an update on the status of the Lokpal’s request to the DoPT for notifying a special court under Section 35 of the Act of 2013 to exclusively hear cases arising from the Prevention of Corruption Act.