In the urban tapestry of New Delhi, the esteemed mantle of Lokpal chairperson was gracefully bestowed upon the venerable A M Khanwilkar, a former luminary of the Supreme Court. This judicious transition transpired on a Tuesday, an event heralded by the august Rashtrapati Bhavan. The venerable Justice Khanwilkar had gracefully exited the hallowed corridors of the Supreme Court in July 2022, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of jurisprudence.
A peculiar lacuna in the Lokpal’s leadership emerged post the tenure culmination of Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose on May 27, 2022. Currently steering the helm is the sagacious Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, a judicious member within the Lokpal fraternity, assuming the role of an interim chairperson. In a missive emanating from the Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu expressed her satisfaction in appointing Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar as the distinguished chairperson of the Lokpal.
Noteworthy is Justice Khanwilkar’s voluntary retirement from the Supreme Court in the throes of July 2022. Joining the echelons of the anti-corruption ombudsman are retired justices Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Sanjay Yadav, and Ritu Raj Awasthi, all entrusted with the responsibilities of judicial members, as pronounced in the communiqué. The ensemble is further enriched with the inclusion of Sushil Chandra, Pankaj Kumar, and Ajay Tirkey, assuming the mantle of non-judicial members, as articulated in the official proclamation.
It is imperative to acknowledge that these appointments shall ripen in their effectiveness as they ascend to their respective offices. The investiture of the chairperson and members of the Lokpal unfolds through the discernment of the President, who procures recommendations from a Selection Committee, its fulcrum being the prime minister. Beyond the chairperson, the Lokpal’s composition permits the presence of eight members, a symphony of four judicial and an equal complement of non-judicial dignitaries.