Archive · 23 Nov 2025
Reevaluate Lokpal Act to Limit Discretion and Enhance Enforcement
The Lokpal Act, India's anti-corruption law, started working in 2019.
Some people in the government want to change parts of the law to reduce the power of the Lokpal's leader and make sure it works properly.
They think the leader is using too much personal judgment in how cases are handled, which is slowing things down.
They also think the Lokpal should follow the same initial investigation process as other agencies.
Lokpal Act 2013 began functioning in 2019
Government considering revising certain provisions
Discretion in bench formation and preliminary inquiry criticized
Lokpal's single-bench approach slowing case disposal
CBI and CVC preliminary inquiry processes differ from Lokpal's
- Who
- The government, Lokpal chairperson Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar, and former Lokpal chairperson Justice (retd) Pinaki Chandra Ghose
- What
- Considering revising the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013
- When
- November 2023
- Where
- India
- Why
- To limit discretion and ensure proper enforcement of the Lokpal Act
Government Officials
Lokpal Chairperson
Bench Formation
Government Officials
Criticize single-bench approach, advocate for multiple benches
Lokpal Chairperson
Defend single-bench approach, no public statement on benches
Preliminary Inquiry
Government Officials
Advocate following CBI and CVC initial investigation processes
Lokpal Chairperson
Currently follows different process, no public statement on changes
- Act Name
- Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013
- Commencement Date
- January 1, 2014
- First Functioning Date
- March 27, 2019
- Head
- Chairperson (Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar)
- Members
- Eight (four judicial, four non-judicial)