• Former Supreme Court Judge Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar appointed new Lokpal chairperson

    National
    Former Supreme Court Judge Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar appointed new Lokpal chairperson
    The President appoints the chairperson and members of the Lokpal based on the recommendations of a Selection Committee, which is chaired by the Prime Minister. 

    Digital Desk: A M Khanwilkar, a former judge of the Supreme Court, was named chairperson of the Lokpal anti-corruption ombudsman on Tuesday, almost two years after the post fell vacant. Following Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose's term completion on May 27, 2022, the Lokpal has been operating without a regular chief.

    The acting chairperson at the moment is Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, a member of the Lokpal. A statement from Rashtrapati Bhavan states that President Droupadi Murmu is happy to name Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar as the Lokpal's chairperson.

    In July 2022, Justice Khanwilkar announced his retirement from the Supreme Court. According to the statement, retired judges Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Sanjay Yadav, and Ritu Raj Awasthi have been named as judicial members of the anti-corruption ombudsman.

    According to the release, Sushil Chandra, Pankaj Kumar, and Ajay Tirkey would serve as non-judicial members. It further stated that these appointments will be effective as of the dates on which they take over as head of their respective offices.

    The President appoints the chairperson and members of the Lokpal based on the recommendations of a Selection Committee, which is chaired by the Prime Minister. The Lokpal may consist of eight members, four of whom may be judges and the remaining six of whom may be non-judiciaries, in addition to a chairperson.