Headline
The Supreme Court of India stays order of Lokpal on jurisdiction over judges of the High Court .
Summary
The Supreme Court of India stayed an order of Lokpal of India that claimed jurisdiction over High Court judges under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. The Court issued notice to the Union Government, Lokpal’s Registrar General, and the complainant, while prohibiting disclosure of the identity of the judges and complaint details.
Key Facts
- Case Name: In Re: Order Dated 27/01/2025 Passed by Lokpal of India and Ancillary Issues,
- Judges Name: Justice BR Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, Justice Abhay S Oka
- Lokpal, led by Justice AM Khanwilkar, stated that judges of the High Court fall under U/S 14(1)(f) of the Lokpal Act if the court was established by an Act of Parliament.
- The Supreme Court of India did not approve of this reasoning and stayed the order.
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal argued against the interpretation of the Lokpal.
Legal Insights
- Judges of the High Court are constitutional authorities, not statutory functionaries.
- The Lokpal Act does not expressly cover High Court judges, unlike other public servants.
- The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that Lokpal has no jurisdiction over judges of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of India.
Impact
- Sheds light on the jurisdictional limits of Lokpal in judicial matters.
- Focuses on the constitutional status of High Court judges.
- Stops judicial intervention by statutory bodies.
Why It Matters
This ruling protects judicial independence by limiting the jurisdiction of the Lokpal and ensuring that constitutional authorities are not treated as statutory functionaries.
Source:
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