RomanStrock4259 at 02:55, 30 November 2025

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{{short description|Ombudsman agency of India}}
{{use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}{{use Indian English|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox government agency
| name = Lokpal
| native_name = लोकपाल
| type = Agency
| seal =
| seal_width =
| logo = File:Logo_of_the_Lokpal.jpg
| logo_caption = 'मा गृधः कस्यस्विद्धनम्' (“Do Not Covet Anyone's Wealth”)
| employees =
| budget =
| formed = {{start date and age|2019|03|19|df=y}}
| jurisdiction =
| agency_type = [[Ombudsman]] agency
| headquarters = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| chief1_name = [[A. M. Khanwilkar|Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar]]<ref>https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/exsc-judge-justice-a-m-khanwilkar-is-now-lokpal-chairperson-101709043679491.html </ref>
| chief1_position = ([[#List of Chairpersons of the Lokpal Committee|Chairperson]])
| chief2_name =
| chief2_position =
| chief3_name =
| chief3_position =
| parent_department =
| child1_agency = [[Lokayukta]]
| website = https://lokpal.gov.in
| footnotes =
| status = Active
}}
A '''Lokpal''' ({{langx|sa|लोकपाल}} ''lokapāla'', "'''Defender of People'''" or "'''People's Friend'''") is an anti-corruption authority or body of [[ombudsman]] that represents the public interest in the [[Republic of India]]. The current Chairperson of Lokpal is [[Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar]]. The Lokpal has jurisdiction over [[central government]], anyone who is or has been Prime Minister, or a Minister in the Union government, or a Member of Parliament, as well as officials of the Union government under Groups A, B, C and D. Also covered are chairpersons, members, officers and directors of any board, corporation, society, trust or autonomous body either established by an Act of Parliament or wholly or partly funded by the Centre. It also covers any society or trust or body that receives foreign contributions above ₹10 lakh. to inquire into allegations of [[corruption]] against its
public functionaries and for matters connected to [[corruption]]. [[The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013|The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act]] was passed in 2013 with amendments in parliament, following the [[2011 Indian anti-corruption movement|Jan Lokpal movement]] led by [[Anna Hazare]] in 2010. The Lokpal is responsible for enquiring into [[corruption]] charges at the national level while the [[Lokayukta]] performs the same function at the [[States and union territories of India|state]] level. The age of Lokpal (chairperson or member) on the date of assuming office as the chairperson or a member should not be less than 45 years.

== History ==
The term "Lokpal" was coined by [[L M Singhvi|Dr. L.M.Singhvi]] in 1963. The concept of a constitutional ombudsman was first proposed in parliament by Law Minister [[Ashoke Kumar Sen]] in the early 1960s. The first [[Jan Lokpal Bill]] was proposed by Adv [[Shanti Bhushan]] in 1968<ref name="Lok Ref3">{{cite journal |title=The Lokpal Bill |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0019556119780436?journalCode=ipaa |access-date=21 July 2021 |journal=Indian Journal of Public Administration |date=1 October 1978 | volume=24 | issue=4 |pages=1245–1258 |language=en |doi=10.1177/0019556119780436| s2cid=220395138 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> and passed in the 4th [[Lok Sabha]] in 1969, but did not pass through the [[Rajya Sabha]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-hopeful-jan-lokpal-bill-will-be-passed-anna-hazare-1864911|title=Hopeful Jan Lokpal bill will be passed: Anna Hazare - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=24 July 2013}}</ref> Subsequently, 'lokpal bills' were introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, again by Ashoke Kumar Sen, while serving as Law Minister in the [[Rajiv Gandhi]] cabinet, and again in 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and in 2008, yet they were never passed.<ref name="Lok Ref4">{{cite news |title=A look at Anna Hazare's protests throughout the years |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/anna-hazare-lokpal-bill-protest-supreme-court-5548932/ |access-date=21 July 2021 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=30 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Lokpal bill to cover PM|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/lokpal-bill-to-cover-pm/135533-3.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204192101/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/lokpal-bill-to-cover-pm/135533-3.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 February 2011 |publisher=[[CNN-IBN]] |date= 21 November 2010 }}</ref> Forty five years after its first introduction and after ten failed attempts, the Lokpal Bill was finally enacted in India on 18 December 2013<ref>{{cite news |title=Latest Lokpal News, Photos, Latest News Headlines about Lokpal |url=https://www.thehindu.com/topic/Lokpal/ |access-date=19 July 2021 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}</ref> after the tenth attempt. [[President of India|President]] gave his assent to Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act on 1 January 2014.<ref name="Lok Ref4"/>

The Lokpal Bill provides for the filing, with the ombudsman, of complaints of corruption against the [[prime minister]], other [[Minister (government)|ministers]], [[Member of Parliament|MPs]], and group A, B, C and D officers of the central government.<ref name="Lokp Ref1">{{cite news |title=Simply put: The search for a Lokpal |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/lokpal-lokayuktas-bill-anna-hazare-5547507/ |access-date=23 July 2021 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=21 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The first [[Administrative Reforms Commission]] (ARC) recommended the enacting of the Office of a Lokpal, convinced that such an institution was justified, not only for removing the sense of injustice from the minds of citizens, but also to instill public confidence in the efficiency of the administrative machinery.

Following this, the Lokpal Bill was, for the first time, presented during the fourth [[Lok Sabha]] in 1968, and was passed there in 1969. However, while it was pending in the [[Rajya Sabha]], the Lok Sabha was dissolved, and thus the bill lapsed.

The bill was revived several times in subsequent years, including in 2011.<ref name="Lok Ref2">{{cite news |title=Lok Sabha passes landmark Lokpal Bill |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/lok-sabha-passes-landmark-lokpal-bill/article20701403.ece1 |access-date=21 July 2021 |publisher=businessline |language=en}}</ref> Each time, after the bill was introduced to the House, it was referred to a committee for improvements, to a joint committee of parliament, or to a departmental standing committee of the Home Ministry. Before the government could take a final stand on the issue, the house was dissolved again. Several conspicuous flaws were found in the 2008 draft of the Lokpal Bill. The basic idea of a lokpal is borrowed from the Office of the Ombudsman, which has the Administrative Reforms Committee of a Lokpal at the centre,{{clarify|date=July 2012}} and Lokayukta in the states.

[[Anna Hazare]] started agitation in Delhi to get this bill passed<ref name="Lok Ref1">{{cite news |title=As Anna Hazare continues stir in Delhi, his village people stage a 'Sholay' style protest |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/as-anna-hazare-continues-stir-villagers-protest-sholay-style/article23355349.ece |access-date=19 July 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=26 March 2018 |language=en-IN}}</ref>{{where|date=July 2012}}, and it did pass on 27 December 2011, around 9:30,{{when|date=July 2012}} with some modifications. These were proposed as the [[Jan Lokpal Bill]]. However, Hazare and his team, as well as other political parties, claimed that the Lokpal Bill passed was weak, and would not serve its intended purpose. So the proposed bill by the ruling Congress Party has yet to be accepted in the Rajya Sabha. As of 29 December 2011, the bill has been deferred to the next parliamentary session, amid much controversy and disruption by the [[Lok Janshakti Party|LJP]], [[Rashtriya Janata Dal|RJD]] and [[Samajwadi Party|SP]] parties. The media at large, and the opposition parties, claimed the situation had been staged.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/midnight-drama-in-rajya-sabha-over-lokpal-bill/944087.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708225016/http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/midnight-drama-in-rajya-sabha-over-lokpal-bill/944087.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-08|title=News18.com: CNN-News18 Breaking News India, Latest News, Current News Headlines|website=News18}}</ref>

The apex Institution primarily created to inquire and investigate complaints relating to allegation of corruption involving public functionaries and elected representatives, finally was formed in March 2019 with the appointment of its Chairperson and members.<ref name="Lokpal Ref1">{{cite news |title=Lokpal yet to get director of inquiry |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lokpal-yet-to-get-director-of-inquiry/article35398195.ece |access-date=24 July 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=18 July 2021 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

==Qualification==
As of March 2019, and ever since the related Act of Parliament was passed in India. Retired [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] judge [[Pinaki Chandra Ghose]] is appointed as the first Lokpal of India by a committee consisting of Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] and [[Chief Justice of India]] [[Ranjan Gogoi]] and [[Speaker of the Lok Sabha]] [[Sumitra Mahajan]] on 23 March 2019 whereas the members are appointed w.e.f 27 March 2019.

According to ''The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013'', the organisation consists of one Chairperson and a maximum of eight other members.
* Out of those eight members four members are judicial members who are or have been a Judge of the Supreme Court or a Chief Justice of a [[High courts of India|High Court]]
* Remaining four members being non-judicial members are people of impeccable integrity and outstanding ability having special knowledge and expertise of not less than twenty-five years in the matters relating to anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance, finance including insurance and banking, law and management.
* Minimum fifty per cent of the Members will be from [[Scheduled Castes]] / [[Scheduled Tribe]] / [[Other Backward Classes]] / Minorities and women.

== Jan Lokpal Bill movement ==
[[File:Anna Hazare on 2nd day.jpg|thumb|right|250x200px|Anna Hazare's hunger strike at [[Jantar Mantar]] in [[New Delhi]], on the second day of his fast]]
{{Main|Jan Lokpal Bill}}
Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman Bill) is a draft anti-corruption bill drawn up by prominent [[civil society]] activists, seeking the appointment of a Jan Lokpal, an independent body that would investigate corruption cases, complete the investigation within one year and conduct trials for the case within the next year.

Drafted by Justice [[Santosh Hegde]] (a former Supreme Court Judge and former Lokayukta of Karnataka), [[Prashant Bhushan]] (a Supreme Court Lawyer) and [[Arvind Kejriwal]] (a RTI activist), the draft Bill envisaged a system in which a corrupt person found guilty would go to jail within two years of the complaint being made and his ill-gotten wealth confiscated. It also sought power for the Jan Lokpal to prosecute politicians and bureaucrats without requiring government permission.

== The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 ==
The historic [[Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013]] was passed by Indian Parliament paving the way for establishment of a Lokpal ([[Ombudsman]]) to fight [[corruption]] in public offices and ensure accountability on the part of public officials, including the [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]], but with some safeguards.

Lokpal will consist of a chairperson and a maximum of eight members,<ref>{{cite web |title=LOKPAL |url=http://lokpal.gov.in/ |website=lokpal.gov.in |access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref> of which 50% will be judicial members 50% members of Lokpal shall be from SC/ST/OBCs, minorities and women.<ref name="Lok Ref8">{{cite news |title=Explained: How Lokpal will form, function |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/simply-put-how-lokpal-will-form-function-pinaki-chandra-ghose-5632814/ |access-date=27 August 2021 |publisher=The Indian Express |date=19 March 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Selection of chairperson and members of Lokpal through a selection committee consisting of PM, Speaker of Lok Sabha, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of India or a sitting Supreme Court judge nominated by CJI.<ref name="Lok Ref5">{{cite news |last1=Seetharaman |first1=G. |title=Delay in appointment of Lokpal & Lokayukta: Who will bell the graft? |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/why-there-is-no-lokpal-at-centre-and-lokayukta-in-many-states/articleshow/66570168.cms?from=mdr |access-date=25 August 2021 |publisher=The Economic Times |date=10 November 2018}}</ref> Eminent jurist to be nominated by [[President of India]] on basis of recommendations of the first four members of the selection committee "through consensus". Lokpal's jurisdiction will cover all categories of public servants. All entities (NGOs) receiving donations from foreign source in the context of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) in excess of Rs 10 lakh per year are under the jurisdiction of Lokpal. Centre will send Lokpal bill to states as a model bill. States have to set up Lokayuktas through a state law within 365 days.

* Lokpal will have power of superintendence and direction over any central investigation agency including [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] for cases referred to them by the ombudsman.
* A high-powered committee chaired by the PM will recommend selection of CBI director. The collegium will comprise PM, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and Chief Justice of India PM has been brought under purview of the Lokpal, so also central ministers and senior officials.
* Directorate of prosecution will be under overall control of CBI director. At present, it comes under the law ministry.
* Appointment of director of prosecution to be based on recommendation of the [[Central Vigilance Commission]].
* Director of prosecution will also have a fixed tenure of two years like CBI chief.
* Transfer of CBI officers investigating cases referred by Lokpal with the approval of watchdog.
* Bill incorporates provisions for attachment and confiscation of property acquired by corrupt means, even while prosecution is pending.
* Bill lays down clear timelines for preliminary enquiry and investigation and trial. Provides for special courts Public servants will not present their view before preliminary enquiry if the case requires 'element of surprise' like raids and searches.
* Bill grants powers to Lokpal to sanction prosecution against public servants.
* [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] may appoint a panel of advocates with approval of Lokpal, [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] will not have to depend on govt advocates.
On 15 May 2018, [[Mukul Rohatgi|Mukul Rohtagi]] (Former Attorney General of India) has been appointed as an eminent jurist in the selection panel of Lokpal.

==List of chairpersons of the Lokpal committee==
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{small|S. No.}}
!Name
!Portrait
! Term start
! Term end
!Tenure
!Appointed by <br>([[President of India|President]])
!{{small|Ref.}}
|-
!1
|[[Pinaki Chandra Ghose]]
|[[File:Pinaki Chandra Ghosh.png|125px]]
|23 March 2019
|27 May 2022
|{{age in years and days|2019|03|23|2022|05|27}}
|rowspan=2|[[Ram Nath Kovind]]
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/justice-pc-ghose-former-supreme-court-judge-takes-oath-as-indias-first-lokpal-2011627|title=P. C. Ghose takes oath as India's first Lokpal|work=NDTV|date=23 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
!2
|[[Pradip Kumar Mohanty]] <br/>''{{small|(additional charge)}}''
|[[File:Blank.svg|75px]]
|28 May 2022
|9 March 2024
|{{age in years and days|2022|05|27}}
|<ref name="Hindustan Times">{{cite news |title=Justice Mohanty gets additional charge of Lokpal chairperson |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/justice-mohanty-gets-additional-charge-of-lokpal-chairperson-101653677561284.html |access-date=9 June 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=28 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
!3
|[[Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar]]
|[[File:Justice_A.M._Khanwilkar.jpg|100px]]
|10 March 2024
|''Incumbent''
|{{age in years and days|2024|03|10}}
|rowspan=2|[[Droupadi Murmu]]
|<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-SC judge Justice A M Khanwilkar appointed Lokpal chairperson |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/exsc-judge-justice-a-m-khanwilkar-is-now-lokpal-chairperson-101709043679491.html |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Hindustan Times |date=27 February 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
|}

== Controversies ==
In October 2025, public criticism arose following the floating of a tender by Lokpal to procure seven [[BMW 3 Series]] luxury cars for all members.<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=2025-10-21 |title=Lokpal wants to buy seven BMW cars, draws Opposition ire |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lokpal-wants-seven-bmw-cars-floats-tender/article70186479.ece |access-date=2025-10-23 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Statesman News |date=2025-10-22 |title=Lokpal BMW row: Jairam calls it ‘Shokpal’; critics demand ‘Make in India’ choices |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/lokpal-bmw-row-jairam-calls-it-shokpal-critics-demand-make-in-india-choices-1503501840.html |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013]]
* [[Lokayukta]]
* [[Citizen's Charter and Grievance Redressal Bill, 2011]]
* [[Jan Lokpal Bill]]
* [[2011 Indian anti-corruption movement]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mukul-rohatgi-appointed-eminent-jurist-in-selection-panel-for-lokpal/article23891565.ece
* http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200804051550.htm
* [http://www.indiatogether.org/2005/jan/law-lokpal.htm India Together – the Lokpal cycle]
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/38042891.cms Times of India article]
* [http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Anna-to-move-SC-against-possible-police-crackdown/818915/ Anna to move SC against possible police crackdown]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140331172533/http://www.iamin.in/en/lokpal-bill Lokpal bill infographics]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191741/http://www.fdrindia.org/lokpal/SuggestedAmendmentsToLokpal2011-09-01.pdf Suggested amendments to the Bill]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130514041013/http://fdrindia.org/lokpal/ConsensusViewsOnLokpalInstitution-2011-05-02.pdf Consensus views on Lokpal]
* [http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02ser/407_06_2013-AVD-IV-09012014.pdf]
* [http://www.gconnect.in/orders-in-brief/conduct-rules/lokpal-employees-declare-assets-15th-september-2014.html]

{{Sitting Members of Lokpal Committee|}}
{{Lokayukta}}

[[Category:Anti-corruption measures in India]]
[[Category:Anti-corruption agencies]]
[[Category:Ombudsman posts]]
[[Category:Ombudsmen in India| ]]
[[Category:Lokayuktas| ]]

Lokpal - Revision history

RomanStrock4259 at 02:55, 30 November 2025