Controversial Lokpal Ruling: SC to take up matter in July

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday deferred to July the hearing of a suo motu case, pertaining to a recent ruling of the Lokpal which held that the anti-corruption ombudsman can entertain complaints against high court judges under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.

A three member bench comprising justices BR Gavai, Surya Kant and Abhay S Oka said the matter will have to go before another bench. Justice Oka, who is set to retire on May 25, said "it is a matter of propriety". Justice Gavai added the bench "will have it (the case) somewhere in July".

At the last hearing, the SC had appointed senior advocate and former solicitor general Ranjit Kumar as amicus curiae in the case. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, at the last hearing, had submitted that the issue involves only a question of law and it was clear from the Lokpal Act itself that there was no jurisdiction for the body to entertain the complaint.


"Only one section of the Lokpal Act needs to be examined," Mehta had argued.