Thaindian News

New Delhi, Apr 27 (ANI): Former Chief Justice of India, J. S. Verma, on Wednesday said judiciary should be kept out of the ambit of the Lokpal Bill (Ombudsman Bill), as it has a separate bill for its accountability.

“The Judiciary Accountability Bill is there to ensure that the provisions needed are there. But you can’t have it as a part of the Lokpal Bill (Ombudsman Bill), because then you would be fouling Article 50, which is separation of executive from judiciary,” said Justice Verma, while speaking at an anti-corruption seminar here.

“And, if someone has grievances against the Lokpal’s actions, where would he go? He will go under Article 226 to the High Court or under 32 to Supreme Court. Now you can’t have a Lokpal snooping over the Supreme Court and the apex court snooping over that,” he added.

Justice Verma further said the Lokpal should not hold office for more than one term, as this would ensure that no Lokpal enjoys undue advantages from his office.

“Whatever law you make, please ensure that no second term for anyone who is the Lokpal, and he gets nothing after he demits office, which anyone in authority or any government can give,” he said.

The former Chief Justice of India also pointed out that the definition of corruption is varied in different perspectives in India, and that is why the Lokpal Bill is not the ultimate guarantee for freedom from corruption.

Stung by the extent of corruption and nepotism unearthed in a string of scams exposed recently, civil society activists came out in full support of a nationwide non-violent anti-corruption initiative, spearheaded by anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare in New Delhi.

The 73-year-old Gandhian called off his hunger strike following a 98-hour protest after the government issued a gazette notification on April 9 constituting a 10-member Joint Committee of council of ministers and civil society activists, including Hazare himself, to draft an effective Lokpal Bill. (ANI)