Former Supreme Court judge A M Khanwilkar has been appointed as the chairperson of the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal on Tuesday, filling the position that remained vacant for nearly two years. The Lokpal had been operating without its regular chief since Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose concluded his term on May 27, 2022.
Currently, Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, a judicial member of the Lokpal, is serving as the acting chairperson. The appointment of Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar as the chairperson of the Lokpal has been confirmed by a communique issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and President Droupadi Murmu has approved the appointment.
Justice Khanwilkar retired from the Supreme Court in July 2022. Additionally, retired justices Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Sanjay Yadav, and Ritu Raj Awasthi have been appointed as judicial members of the anti-corruption ombudsman. Sushil Chandra, Pankaj Kumar, and Ajay Tirkey are named as non-judicial members. These appointments will take effect on the dates when they assume charge of their respective offices, as mentioned in the communique.
The selection of the chairperson and members of the Lokpal is made by the President based on the recommendations of a Selection Committee, with the Prime Minister as its chairperson. The Lokpal can consist of a chairperson and up to eight members, divided into four judicial and four non-judicial positions.
