Lokpal selection panel to meet on July 19, Attorney General to Supreme Court

New Delhi: Attorney General K.K. Venugopal informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the selection panel headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to meet on July 19 to appoint a ‘search committee’ for the selection of Chairperson of Lokpal and other Members of the anti-corruption ombudsman. A Bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and Ms R. Banumathi, taking note of the affidavit and the submission made by the AG posted the matter for further hearing on July 24 to know the outcome of the July 19 meeting.

In the previous hearing the court gave the Centre 10 days to come out with a time scheduled for appointment of Lokpal and other members. But on Tuesday the Centre’s affidavit did not specify any time schedule except saying that the selection panel is to meet on July 19. Justice Gogoi stated that the affidavit of the respondent had been perused by the court wherein the respondent had stated that the meeting of the Selection Committee to constitute the Search Committee for recommending a panel of persons for appointment of Lokpal, would be held on the 19th of July at 6p.m. 

The court stated, that since the meeting is to be held on the 19th, the court would refrain from giving any directions. The court expressed the hope that the search committee is constituted on the said date and the selection panel will also consider laying down a time frame for the search committee to complete its mandate under the Lokpal Act.