President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday has appointed former Supreme Court judge, Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar, as the new chairperson of the Lokpal, marking a pivotal moment in India’s fight against corruption. This decision comes after a high-level selection committee, comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, shortlisted his name for this esteemed position.
Justice Khanwilkar, who will be taking over from the acting chairperson, Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, is set to become the second Lokpal of India, succeeding Pinaki Chandra Ghose. His appointment, along with that of former high court chief justices Justice Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Justice Sanjay Yadav, and Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi as judicial members, and Sushil Chandra, Pankaj Kumar, and Ajay Tirkey as non-judicial members, was officially announced through a press statement from Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The newly appointed members, including Khanwilkar, bring a wealth of experience and integrity to the Lokpal, an institution established under the Lokayukta Act 2013, aimed at investigating allegations of corruption within the higher echelons of public service. The Lokpal’s jurisdiction extends to a wide range of officials, from the Prime Minister to members of Parliament and government officials across various groups.
Justice Khanwilkar’s legal career is notable for his tenure as a permanent judge in the Bombay High Court since April 2002, and his subsequent appointments as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and the Madhya Pradesh High Court. His elevation to the Supreme Court in May 2016 and his involvement in significant rulings, such as the one that recognized the right to die with dignity as a fundamental right, highlight his judicial wisdom and commitment to justice.
The appointments, effective from the dates the new members assume their respective offices, are expected to bolster the Lokpal’s capacity to address corruption effectively. However, as one judicial member pointed out,
“We are yet to be told about the date of appointment. For now, only the announcement has been made.”
This statement underscores the anticipation and readiness among the newly appointed members to undertake their responsibilities in fostering transparency and accountability in public life.
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