NEW DELHI, Mar 16: The Supreme Court is set to hear on March 18 a suo motu proceeding concerning the Lokpal’s order to entertain complaints against sitting high court judges. A three-judge bench, comprising Justices B R Gavai, Surya Kant, and Abhay S Oka, will hear the matter.
The case stems from a January 27 order by the Lokpal, which the Supreme Court stayed on February 20. The apex court had found the order to be “very, very disturbing” and said it concerned the independence of the judiciary. In its ruling, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre, the Lokpal registrar, and the individual who filed the complaints against the high court judge.
The case involves two complaints against a sitting additional judge of a high court, alleging that he had influenced another judge and a district judge to favor a private company. The private company was reportedly a former client of the judge when he was a practicing advocate.
The Lokpal had directed that the complaints and related materials be forwarded to the office of the Chief Justice of India for consideration, deferring the matter for four weeks. In its order, the Lokpal also confirmed that high court judges could fall under the scope of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, though it refrained from assessing the merits of the allegations.
The case will continue to be monitored by the top court as it deliberates on the judicial independence concerns raised by the Lokpal’s decision.
