New Delhi, April 30 (HS): The Supreme Court will hear in July whether the Lokpal can hear complaints against High Court judges. A bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai stated that this matter may be transferred to another bench.

Senior lawyer Ranjit Kumar was appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court in this matter. On February 20, the Supreme Court stayed the Lokpal’s order issued on January 27, which declared the Lokpal’s authority to hear complaints of corruption against High Court judges. This order stated that investigating complaints against High Court judges falls within the jurisdiction of the Lokpal. The court had taken suo motu cognizance of the Lokpal’s order and stated that this decision is troubling.

The Supreme Court had instructed the complainant who filed a complaint with the Lokpal not to disclose the name of the judge against whom the complaint was filed. The complainant had alleged to the Lokpal that a private firm had been the former client of that judge when they were practicing law.

In fact, a bench of the Lokpal chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice A.M. Khanwilkar had ordered an investigation against the High Court judge in its order dated January 27. During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that the Lokpal had misinterpreted the law. He asserted that the High Court judges were not included within the purview of the Lokpal. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal also criticized the Lokpal’s order and requested the court to stay it.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar