Jan Lokpal Bill-A-Detailed Analysis

JAN LOKPAL BILL A DETAILED ANALYSIS
Ver 1.0 Dated: 26 November 2013

Published by India Against

orru!tion

"an #o$!al %ill& A Detailed Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why do we need Jan Lokpal?................................................................... a. '. #a'$ o( Inde!enden'e....................................................................................... ) +ulti!li'ity o( agen'ies..................................................................................... , b. Po*erless.......................................................................................................... ) d. #a'$ o( -rans!aren'y and internal a''ountability............................................., S!"#$!#"e o% Lokpal.................................................................................& a. Inde!enden'e o( "an #o$!al and "an #o$ayu$ta.................................................... /i0 Administrative inde!enden'e......................................................................... /ii0 1inan'ial inde!enden'e.................................................................................. /iii0 +an!o*er..................................................................................................... . b. 2ingle anti3'orru!tion agen'y............................................................................... '. No more advisory bodies..................................................................................... 4 Wha! a$!'on w'll (e !aken (y Lokpal a)a'n*! $o""#p! people?....................+ a. -ime bound investigations................................................................................... 4 b. 5e'overy o( loss 'aused to government..............................................................4 '. on(is'ation o( assets.......................................................................................... 6 d. In'reased !unishment (or 'orru!tion..................................................................6 e. Illegally obtained bene(its are deemed to be obtained through 'orru!tion.........6 (. Po*er to !unish i( its orders are not (ollo*ed......................................................6 ,ow w'll Lokpal p"o-'de "el'e% !o a $o..on .an a)a'n*! ("'(e"y?.........../0 ,ow !o en*#"e !ha! !he"e '* no $o""#p!'on w'!h'n Jan Lokpal.................../1 a. 1irstly& by ensuring that the right !erson is sele'ted (or this role7....................13 b. 2e'ondly& by ensuring that they *or$ *ell7.......................................................13 '. -hirdly& by ensuring that "an #o$!al and "an #o$ayu$t are not in(luen'ed7.......1) d. 1ourthly& by ensuring that i( not *or$ing *ell& they 'an be removed7...............1) /i0 5emoval o( 'orru!t sta(( in #o$!al or #o$ayu$ta..........................................1) /ii0 5emoval o( #o$!al or #o$ayu$ta members or hair!erson...........................1) J#"'*d'$!'on o% Lokpal............................................................................/2 a. 8igh ourt and 2u!reme ourt "udges..............................................................1, /i0 5emoval o( a 2u!reme ourt or 8igh ourt "udge.........................................1, /ii0 Investigating ases o( orru!tion o( 2u!reme ourt or 8igh ourt "udges...1, /iii0 9b:e'tions by some (riends to the in'lusion o( higher :udi'iary *ithin the !urvie* o( "an #o$!al %ill................................................................................... 16 b. ;le'ted !oliti'ians in'luding ministers and Prime +inister................................20 /i0 1or their 'ondu't outside !arliament.............................................................20 /ii0 1or their 'ondu't inside Parliament..............................................................20

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'. %ureau'rats....................................................................................................... 20 Wh'*!le(lowe" P"o!e$!'on......................................................................3/ P"o!e$!'on a)a'n*! %"'-olo#* and .'*$h'e-o#* $o.pla'n!*.......................31 F"e4#en!ly A*ked 5#e*!'on* a(o#! !he Jan Lokpal B'll.............................3 Is #o$!al a su!er 'o!<........................................................................................... 2) 2hould !ubli' =rievan'es be brought under the :urisdi'tion o( #o$!al< -his *ill overburden #o$!al and ma$e it un*ieldy..............................................................2, Anne6#"e /..........................................................................................37 ..........................................................................................................38 Anne6#"e 3..........................................................................................10

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Why do we need Jan Lokpal?
-here are several de(i'ien'ies in our anti3'orru!tion systems be'ause o( *hi'h des!ite over*helming eviden'e against the 'orru!t& no honest investigation and !rose'ution ta$es !la'e and the 'orru!t are hardly !unished. -he *hole anti3 'orru!tion set u! ends u! !rote'ting the 'orru!t.

O#" an!'9$o""#p!'on a)en$'e* ha-e (a*'$ *!"#$!#"al de%'$'en$'e* (e$a#*e o% wh'$h !hey a"e 'n$apa(le o% do'n) any hone*! 'n-e*!')a!'on*:
-he (ollo*ing (our de(i'ien'ies stand out in our anti3'orru!tion system. 1or details on de(i'ien'ies in our anti3'orru!tion systems& !lease read Anne6#"e /.

a.

La$k o% Independen$e

+ost o( our agen'ies li$e %I& state vigilan'e de!artments& internal vigilan'e *ings o( various de!artments& Anti3'orru!tion %ran'h o( state !oli'e et' are not inde!endent. In many 'ases& they have to re!ort to the same !eo!le *ho are either themselves a''used or are li$ely to be in(luen'ed by the a''used. 1or instan'e& • -he hie( +inister o( Pun:ab is the +inister in 'harge o( Vigilan'e De!artment o( Pun:ab. Interestingly& the same vigilan'e de!artment is also investigating 'harges o( 'orru!tion against himsel( and his (amily and is !rose'uting them. an *e e>!e't the vigilan'e de!artment to do any honest investigations or !rose'ution< Please read detailed re!ort in Anne>ure 2 to see ho* des!ite huge una''ounted 'ash being re'overed (rom the house o( a to! N8AI o((i'er& ?amal Nath denied !ermission to register a 'ase o( 'orru!tion against him. oal +inistry :ust sat on %I@s re!eated reAuests to !rose'ute the o((i'er *ho *as to be'ome the +D. 5ail*ays :ust sat on %I@s reAuest to !rose'ute one o( its to! em!loyees involved in rail*ay re'ruitment s'am.

•

(.

Powe"le**

2ome bodies li$e V or #o$ayu$tas are inde!endent& but they do not have any !o*ers. -hey have been made advisory bodies. -hey give t*o $inds o( advise to the governments B to either im!ose de!artmental !enalties on any o((i'er or to !rose'ute him in 'ourt. ;>!erien'e sho*s that *henever any minister or a senior o((i'er is involved& their advi'e is rarely (ollo*ed.

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$.

;#l!'pl'$'!y o% a)en$'e*

=overnments have deliberately 'reated !lethora o( anti3'orru!tion agen'ies and given them (ra'tured mandates. -his has been done to render them ine((e'tive. 1or instan'e& • At 'entral government level& in the same 'ase o( 'orru!tion& V is su!!osed to loo$ into the vigilan'e angle o( senior bureau'rats and de!artmental vigilan'e is su!!osed to loo$ into the role o( :unior bureau'rats. As i( :unior and senior bureau'rats indulge in 'orru!tion se!arately. Again in the same 'ase& *hereas these t*o agen'ies enAuire into the matter (rom vigilan'e angle& %I investigates into the same matter (rom 'riminal angle i.e 'orru!tion angle. No*& the vigilan'e and 'orru!tion angles are almost the same. -he t*o agen'ies broadly do the same enAuiries and investigations. A''ording to the #o$!al model !ro!osed by =overnment o( India& V *ill enAuire into the role o( bureau'rats and #o$!al *ill loo$ into the role o( !oliti'ians& as i( !oliti'ians and bureau'rats indulge in 'orru!tion se!arately.

•

•

1irstly& this $ind o( (ra'tured mandate 'reates 'on(usion. 2e'ondly& enAuiries and investigations into any 'ase go on and on (or years. 1or instan'e& in street lighting 'ase o( ommon Cealth =ames& (irst an enAuiry *as done by V & then %I investigated into the same 'ase and then it *as again enAuired into by 2hunglu 'ommittee. -hirdly& i( t*o agen'ies arrive at 'on(li'ting 'on'lusions on the same 'ase& it only *ea$ens the 'ase against 'orru!t !eo!le. -he (inal bene(i'iaries o( this 'on(using system are the 'orru!t !eo!le *ho never get !unished.

d.

La$k o% T"an*pa"en$y and 'n!e"nal a$$o#n!a('l'!y

In addition& there is the !roblem o( internal trans!aren'y and a''ountability o( these anti3'orru!tion agen'ies. Presently& there isn@t any se!arate and e((e'tive me'hanism to 'he'$ i( the sta(( o( these anti3'orru!tion agen'ies turns 'orru!t. -hat is *hy& des!ite so many agen'ies& 'orru!t !eo!le rarely go to :ail. orru!tion has be'ome a high !ro(it Dero ris$ business. -here is absolutely no deterren'e against 'orru!tion.

O#" an!'9$o""#p!'on law* al*o ha-e *e-e"al $"'!'$al de%'$'en$'e*< wh'$h end #p p"o!e$!'n) !he $o""#p!.
1or instan'e& • ;ven i( a 'orru!t !erson is sent to :ail& there is no !rovision in la* to 'on(is'ate his ill gotten *ealth or to re'over the loss 'aused by him to the government due to his 'orru!t !ra'ti'es.

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•

%e(ore initiating investigations or !rose'ution into any 'ase& !ermission has to be ta$en (rom some o((i'er or minister in 'harge o( the same de!artment. In many 'ases& they themselves are dire'tly or indire'tly involved in that 'ase.

-here(ore& there seems to be too mu'h !rote'tion (or the 'orru!t !eo!le. -here are many other de(i'ien'ies in our anti3'orru!tion la*s. -he above have been mentioned only by *ay o( illustration. "an #o$!al %ill see$s to address these de(i'ien'ies in anti3'orru!tion agen'ies and the la*.

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Structure of Lokpal
"an #o$!al %ill !ro!oses that at the level o( entral =overnment& an institution 'alled "an #o$!al should be set u!. #i$e*ise& in ea'h state& "an #o$ayu$ta should be set u!. "an #o$!al *ill a''e!t 'orru!tion 'om!laints against entral government de!artments and "an #o$ayu$ta *ill a''e!t 'om!laints against de!artments o( res!e'tive state government. ;a'h o( these bodies *ill have 10 members and one hair!erson.

a. Independen$e o% Jan Lokpal and Jan Lokay#k!a
"an #o$!al and "an #o$ayu$ta *ould be 'om!letely inde!endent o( the governments. -heir inde!enden'e *ould be ensured through (ollo*ing measures:

='>

Ad.'n'*!"a!'-e 'ndependen$e

-hey *ill be inde!endent agen'ies li$e entral ;le'tion ommission& om!troller and Auditor general o( India and 2u!reme ourt. -here(ore& no !oliti'ian or a bureau'rat *ill be able to inter(ere *ith its (un'tioning.

=''> F'nan$'al 'ndependen$e
-heir e>!enses *ill be 'harged to the onsolidated 1und o( IndiaE2tate. -hey *ill be !rovided *hatever e>!enses they reAuire.

='''> ;anpowe"
-hey *ill have !o*ers to assess their man!o*er reAuirements and em!loy them either (rom e>isting government servants /*ho 'an 'ome on de!utation basis0 or dire'tly (rom the mar$et.

(. S'n)le an!'9$o""#p!'on a)en$y
Anti3'orru!tion bran'h o( %I& V and de!artmental vigilan'e *ings *ill be merged into #o$!al. Anti3 orru!tion %ran'h o( Poli'e& state vigilan'e de!artments *ould be merged into "an #o$ayu$tas. In 1646& *hen ?arnata$a #o$ayu$ta *as 'reated& all e>isting anti3'orru!tion and vigilan'e agen'ies in the state *ere merged into #o$ayu$ta. Presently& *e have institutions o( #o$ayu$tas in 14 states. -hey are merely advisory bodies. -hey neither have resour'es nor !o*ers. -hey *ill be re!la'ed *ith "an #o$ayu$tas through "an #o$!al %ills.

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$. No .o"e ad-'*o"y (od'e*
"an #o$!al and "an #o$ayu$ta *ill not be advisory bodies. -hey *ill have !o*ers to start investigation or !rose'ution in any 'ase. 1or that& they *ill not need !ermission (rom any government agen'y. "an #o$!al and "an #o$ayu$ta *ill also have !o*ers to im!ose de!artmental !enalties on bureau'rats.

What action will be taken by Lokpal against corrupt people?
-here is 'orru!tion at all levels B in !an'hayat *or$s& in 'onstru'tion o( roads& in N5;=A& mid day meals& rations& 2= s!e'trum& leasing o( mines& ommon Cealth =ames et'. "an #o$!al *ill ensure that 'orru!t !eo!le are !unished through the (ollo*ing !rovisions.

a. T'.e (o#nd 'n-e*!')a!'on*
Investigation in any 'ase o( 'orru!tion *ill have to be 'om!leted *ithin one year. "an #o$!al or "an #o$ayu$ta *ill have !o*ers to em!loy more o((i'ers& i( reAuired& to 'om!lete investigations in time. A(ter investigations& #o$!al or #o$ayu$ta shall ta$e t*o a'tions: • D'*.'** $o""#p! o%%'$e"*: A(ter investigations& i( adeAuate eviden'e is (ound& then a(ter giving an o!!ortunity o( being heard& "an #o$!al or "an #o$ayu$ta *ill have !o*ers to remove a government o((i'er (rom :ob or to im!ose any other de!artmental !enalties li$e redu'tion in ran$& sto!!ing !romotion et'. -hese orders 'ould be 'hallenged in 8igh ourt. T'.e (o#nd !"'al: In addition to im!osing de!artmental !enalties& i( a 'ase is made out& "an #o$!al or "an #o$ayu$ta *ill (ile a 'ase in trial 'ourt. -he 'ourt *ill have to 'om!lete the trial and announ'e !unishment *ithin ne>t one year. I( reAuired& "an #o$!al or "an #o$ayu$ta *ill have !o*ers to dire't the government to set u! additional 'ourts to 'om!lete the trial in time.

•

(. ?e$o-e"y o% lo** $a#*ed !o )o-e"n.en!
During investigations&i( there is strong eviden'e against 'orru!tion& "an #o$!al or "an #o$ayu$ta shall ban the trans(er o( assets o( the a''used or the assets o( those *ho *ould have bene(itted (rom the a''used. At the time o( 'onvi'tion& the 'ourt *ill assess the loss 'aused by the a''used to the government. -his loss *ill be re'overed (rom these assets and as land revenue. / urrently& there is no !rovision

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in our la* to re'over the bribes earned by 'orru!t !eo!le or the loss 'aused by them to the government0.

$. Con%'*$a!'on o% a**e!*
;a'h bureau'rat& !oliti'ian and :udge *ould be reAuired to submit a statement o( moveable and immoveable assets o*ned by him and his (amily on an annual basis& *hi'h *ill be !ut on the o((i'ial *ebsite. I( an asset is subseAuently (ound to be o*ned by a !ubli' servant& it *ould be deemed to have been obtained through 'orru!t means and *ould be 'on(is'ated. Prose'ution !ro'eedings *ould be initiated against the a''used. 2imilarly& a(ter ea'h ele'tion& the "an #o$!al *ill veri(y the assets de'lared by ea'h 'andidate. I( unde'lared assets are (ound& a 'ase *ill be registered and investigations started.

d. In$"ea*ed p#n'*h.en! %o" $o""#p!'on
Presently& the ma>imum !unishment (or 'orru!tion is seven years& *hi'h is believed to be very less. -his is !ro!osed to be in'reased to li(e senten'e.

e. Ille)ally o(!a'ned (ene%'!* a"e dee.ed !o (e o(!a'ned !h"o#)h $o""#p!'on
In the 'urrent system& i( anyone obtains any bene(it (rom the government illegally& it is di((i'ult to !rove that he did so by !aying bribes. -here(ore& it has been !rovided in "an #o$!al %ill that i( a !erson obtains any bene(it (rom the government in violation o( a la* or rules and regulations& that !erson along *ith 'on'erned !ubli' servants shall be deemed to have indulged in 'orru!t !ra'ti'e.

%. Powe" !o p#n'*h '% '!* o"de"* a"e no! %ollowed
I( orders o( the "an #o$!al or "an #o$ayu$ta are not obeyed& it *ill have the !o*ers to im!ose (inan'ial !enalties and also initiate 'ontem!t !ro'eedings against the guilty o((i'ials.

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How will Lokpal provide relief to a common man against bribery?
-oday& a 'ommon man has to !ay bribe to get any *or$ done in any government de!artment li$e ma$ing ration 'ard or !ass!ort or getting in'ome ta> re(und or old age !ension et'. "an #o$!al and "an #o$ayu$ta *ill !rovide relie( to a 'ommon man against su'h day to day 'orru!tion.  ;a'h government de!artment *ill have to ma$e a itiDen@s harter telling *ho does *hat :ob and in ho* mu'h time. 1or instan'e& the 'harter *ill have to mention *hi'h o((i'er *ill ma$e ration 'ard and in *hat time& *hi'h o((i'er *ill ma$e a !ass!ort and in ho* mu'h time et'.  I( harter is not (ollo*ed& then !eo!le 'an 'om!lain to the 8ead o( that de!artment *ho *ill be designated as the Publi' =rievan'e 9((i'er /P=90  P=9 *ill redress the 'om!laint *ithin 30 days ma>imum  I( P=9 doesn@t satis(y the 'om!lainant& then a 'om!laint 'an be made to the vigilan'e o((i'er o( "an #o$!al and "an #o$ayu$ta. #o$!ve *ill have a vigilan'e o((i'er in ea'h distri't and #o$ayu$ta *ill have it in ea'h blo'$.  Chen a 'om!laint o( violation o( 'itiDens 'harter rea'hes a Vigilan'e 9((i'er& it *ill be deemed to have 'orru!tion angle.  -he Vigilan'e 9((i'er *ill have to o o 2olve the grievan'e in 30 days Im!ose !enalty on the guilty o((i'ers *hi'h *ill be given to the as 'om!ensation 2tart investigations o( 'orru!tion against guilty o((i'ers. om!lainant

o

 I( a 'itiDen is not satis(ied *ith the a'tion ta$en by Vigilan'e o((i'er& he 'ould a!!eal to the hie( Vigilan'e o((i'er in #o$!al or #o$ayu$ta.  -he o((i'ers o( any de!artment against *hom (inan'ial and de!artmental !enalties have been im!osed may a!!eal against it in 8igh ourt.  Ce believe that as soon as a (e* !enalties get im!osed u!on the 8ead o( any De!artment& he *ill !ut adeAuate systems in !la'e and ensure that no grievan'es ta$e !la'e in (uture.

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Flow $ha"! !o *how how p#(l'$ )"'e-an$e* "ela!ed !o -'ola!'on o% $'!'@enA* $ha"!e" w'll (e deal! 'n Lokpal? itiDen a!!lies to 'on'erned o((i'er in some de!t a''ording to 'itiDen@s 'harter to get

itiDen 'om!lains I( *or$ not done satis(a'tory I( grievan'e not solved to 89D or senior *ithin time limit o( 'itiDen 'harter in 30 days o((i'er /Publi' =rievan'e A!!eal to hie( itiDen still Vigilan'e o((i'er dissatis(ied

Vigilan'e 9((i'er gets grievan'e solved in itiDen 'om!lains to a Vigilan'e 30 days& im!oses !enalties on guilty 9((i'er in #o$!al o((i'ers *hi'h *ill be given as 'om!ensation to 'itiDen& im!osition o( de!artmental !enalty LOKPAL on guilty o((i'ers by a

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How to ensure that there is no corruption within Jan Lokpal
a. F'"*!ly< (y en*#"'n) !ha! !he "')h! pe"*on '* *ele$!ed %o" !h'* "oleB
2ele'tion !ro'ess (or the members and hair!erson o( "an #o$!al and "an #o$ayu$ta has been $e!t trans!arent& broad based and !arti'i!atory.  -he 10 members and the 'hair!erson o( "an #o$!al *ill be sele'ted by a Selection Committee that *ould 'om!rise o( the P+& #eader o( the o!!osition in #o$ 2abha& t*o youngest :udges o( 2u!reme ourt /2 0& t*o youngest hie( "usti'es o( 8igh ourts& om!troller and Auditor =eneral / A=0 and the hie( ;le'tion ommissioner / ; 0. -he Selection Committee *ill ma$e the above a!!ointment (rom a !ool o( shortlisted 'andidates that has been identi(ied by a FSearch Committee”.  -he “Search Committee” is a 103member 'ommittee (ormed as (ollo*s: 1irst& the Selection Committee sele'ts (ive members (rom retired hie( ;le'tion ommissioners and retired A=s. 8o*ever those ; s and A=s *ho have any substantive allegation o( 'orru!tion against them or *ho have :oined any !oliti'al !arty a(ter retirement or *ho are still in any government a!!ointment shall not be eligible. -hese , members *ill then sele't another , members (rom the 'ivil so'iety to ma$e the 103member Search Committee.  -he Search Committee *ill invite re'ommendations (rom various eminent !eo!le /li$e :ournalists& a'ademi's& et'0. -hese names *ill be !ut u! on a *ebsite and !ubli' (eedba'$ invited. -he sear'h 'ommittee *ill then& by 'onsensus& 'hoose 3 times the number o( va'an'ies. -his list *ill be (or*arded to the Selection Committee *hi'h *ill then ma$e (inal sele'tions through 'onsensus.  All meetings o( the Search Committee and Selection Committee shall be video re'orded and *ill be made !ubli'.  "an #o$!al and "an #o$ayu$ta *ill then sele't and a!!oint its o*n o((i'ers and sta((.

(. Se$ondly< (y en*#"'n) !ha! !hey wo"k wellB
 ;very 'om!laint to "an #o$!al or "an #o$ayu$ta shall have to be 'om!ulsorily dis!osed. No 'om!laint 'ould be re:e'ted *ithout giving a hearing to the 'om!lainant. I( any 'ase is 'losed& all re'ords related thereto shall be made !ubli'  -he (un'tioning o( "an #o$!al and "an #o$ayu$ta *ill be 'om!letely trans!arent. All re'ords *ill be o!en to the !ubli'& barring those *hi'h *ill a((e't national se'urity or se'urity o( the *histle blo*er. -hose *hi'h *ill im!ede the !ro'ess o( 13 o( 3,&

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investigation& may be *ithheld during investigations but these re'ords *ill also have to be dis'losed a(ter 'on'lusion o( investigations.  #o$!al *ill !ublish every month on its *ebsite the status o( 'ases re'eived& dis!osed& 'losed& reasons (or 'losure and the list o( 'ases !ending .

$. Th'"dly< (y en*#"'n) !ha! Jan Lokpal and Jan Lokay#k! a"e no! 'n%l#en$edB
-he hair!erson and members *ill not be eligible (or a!!ointment to any !osition in the government or (or 'ontesting ele'tions a(ter they leave o((i'e.

d. Fo#"!hly< (y en*#"'n) !ha! '% no! wo"k'n) well< !hey $an (e "e.o-edB
='> ?e.o-al o% $o""#p! *!a%% 'n Lokpal o" Lokay#k!a
om!laints o( 'orru!tion against the sta(( 'ould be made to an inde!endent !lat(orm& *hi'h *ill be set u! in ea'h ommissionerate or at the level o( ea'h state and at national level. -hese 'om!laints *ill be enAuired into *ithin a month. I( the allegations are !roved& the 'orru!t sta(( *ill be dismissed (rom the :ob in the ne>t one month and a 'riminal 'ase *ill be registered under various se'tions o( Indian Penal ode and Prevention o( orru!tion A't.

=''> ?e.o-al o% Lokpal o" Lokay#k!a .e.(e"* o" Cha'"pe"*on
om!laints against members and 'hair !erson 'ould be made to 2u!reme ourt or res!e'tive 8igh ourt. A ben'h o( res!e'tive ourt& a(ter hearing& may order the (ormation o( a 2!e'ial Investigation -eam that *ill 'ondu't an inAuiry and submit its re!ort *ithin 3 months. 9n the basis o( this enAuiry re!ort& the res!e'tive ourt may order removal o( the member or hair!erson.

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Jurisdiction of Lokpal
a. ,')h Co#"! and S#p"e.e Co#"! J#d)e*
='> ?e.o-al o% a S#p"e.e Co#"! o" ,')h Co#"! J#d)e
P"e*en! *y*!e.: Gnder the !resent system& a :udge 'an be removed (or mis'ondu't by the !ro'ess o( im!ea'hment s!e'i(ied in the onstitution o( India. P"opo*ed *y*!e.: "an #o$!al %ill does not !ro!ose to 'hange this system.

=''> In-e*!')a!'n) Ca*e* o% Co""#p!'on o% S#p"e.e Co#"! o" ,')h Co#"! J#d)e*
P"e*en! *y*!e.: -oday& i( there is an allegation o( 'orru!tion against any 2u!reme ourt /2 0 or 8igh ourt /8 0 :udge& an 1I5 'annot be registered and investigations 'annot be started into those allegations *ithout the !ermission o( the hie( "usti'e o( India / "I0. ;>!erien'e sho*s that hie( "usti'es have hesitated in giving !ermissions& des!ite over*helming eviden'e o( 'orru!tion being !resented against any :udge. ;ven those hie( "usti'es& *ho have been *ell $no*n (or their honesty& did not give !ermissions. 1or instan'e& +r P hidambaram sought !ermission to register an 1I5 against "usti'e 2en =u!ta o( ?ol$atta 8igh ourt. Permission *as sought (rom the then hie( "usti'e o( India& "usti'e Ven$ata'haliah& *ho is very *ell $no*n (or his integrity. 8o*ever& "usti'e Ven$ata'haliah did not give !ermission. Cas the eviden'e against "usti'e 2en =u!ta strong enough< -he strength o( the eviden'e 'an be gauged (rom the (a't that "usti'e 2en =u!ta *as raided and arrested soon a(ter he retired be'ause a(ter retirement& !ermission o( "I *as not reAuired. -here are many more instan'es *hen !ermission (or registration o( 1I5 has been denied. 2ome su'h 'ases are mentioned belo*: • Des!ite over*helming eviden'e& reAuest o( the am!aign on "udi'ial A''ountability /re!resented by 2hanti %hushan& Prashant bhushan& 5am :ethmalani& "usti'e 5a:ender 2a'hhar& Indira :aisingh& Arvind Nigam et'0 see$ing !ermission to register an 1I5 against "usti'e %halla o( Allahabad 8igh ourt is !ending be(ore the hie( "usti'e o( India sin'e 2006. 2imilarly& the reAuest o( am!aign (or "udi'ial A''ountability and "udi'ial 5e(orms see$ing to register 1I5 against "usti'e 1 I 5ebello is !ending sin'e 2e!tember 2010.

•

-here(ore& the !resent system o( see$ing !ermission (rom the "I to register an 1I5 against a :udge o( 2 or 8 a!!ears to have !rote'ted the 'orru!t and en'ouraged 'orru!tion in higher :udi'iary.

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P"opo*ed *y*!e.: An im!ression is being sought to be 'reated that :udi'iary is being brought under the 'ontrol o( "an #o$!al. -his is 'om!letely in'orre't. Chat is being !ro!osed is that the !ermission to register 1I5 against 'orru!tion o( any :udge should be granted by a seven member ben'h o( "an #o$!al /the ben'h may have ma:ority o( :udi'ial members0 rather than the hie( "usti'e o( India. -hat is the only real di((eren'e in the system !ro!osed in "an #o$!al %ill and the e>isting system. Post registration o( an 1I5& the !oli'e or %I investigates and !rose'utes /i( a 'ase is made out0 under the e>isting system. 2in'e *e are !ro!osing that the anti 'orru!tion bran'h o( %I *ould be merged into "an #o$!al and *ould (orm the investigation and !rose'ution *ing o( "an #o$!al& there(ore& obviously the investigations and !rose'ution a(ter registration o( 1I5 is !ro!osed to be done by the ne* investigation and !rose'ution *ings o( #o$!al. A(ter 'om!letion o( investigations& a (ull ben'h o( #o$!al *ould de'ide *hether to initiate !rose'ution or not. #o$!al *ill not have any !o*ers to a*ard !unishment or to remove :udges. -he 'ase *ould go to the normal 'ourts (or trial and !unishment. -here(ore& e((e'tively& there is :ust one 'hange being !ro!osed (rom the e>isting system B that rather than "I giving !ermission to register 1I5& a seven member ben'h o( #o$!al should grant su'h !ermission.

='''>

O(Ce$!'on* (y *o.e %"'end* !o !he 'n$l#*'on o% h')he" C#d'$'a"y w'!h'n !he p#"-'ew o% Jan Lokpal B'll
C"'!'4#e o% o#" p"opo*al O#" "e*pon*e 8o* *ill it a((e't the inde!enden'e o( :udi'iary< Ce have greatest res!e't (or our :udi'iary and *e strongly stand (or its inde!enden'e. +ost o( the :udges in higher :udi'iary are honest. 8o*ever& a (e* o( them bring bad name to the *hole :udi'iary due to their *rongdoings. -hey ought to be identi(ied and a'ted against. A system *hi'h e((e'tively does that *ould strengthen the inde!enden'e o( :udi'iary and in'rease its 'redibility in the eyes o( the !ubli'. Present system tends to !rote't the 'orru!t and en'ourages 'orru!tion. -here(ore& the !resent system tends to lo*er the !restige and 'redibility o( :udi'iary in the 16 o( 3,&

-his *ould a((e't the inde!enden'e o( :udi'iary.

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minds o( the !eo!le and 'om!romises its inde!enden'e. "an #o$!al %ill see$s to 'reate a system& *hi'h is inde!endent o( :udi'iary& to grant !ermission to register an 1I5 and initiate investigations against a :udge. -his *ould tremendously in'rease the *or$load o( #o$!al -here are less than 1000 2 and 8 :udges in our 'ountry. "usti'e 2 P %haru'ha had on'e 'ommented that less than 20H o( higher :udi'iary is 'orru!t. 9bviously& 'om!laints *ill not 'ome against all o( them at the same time. %ut even i( all 'om!laints 'ame together& there *ill be less than 200 'om!laints. -hat is a very small number and *ould not in'rease the *or$load o( #o$!al in any manner. "an #o$!al %ill does not em!o*er #o$!al to go into or Auestion the :udi'ial !ro'edures or de'isions o( :udi'iary. It does not em!o*er #o$!al to !ee! into !ro(essional /mis0'ondu't o( :udges. It only em!o*ers them to grant !ermission to register an 1I5 against a :udge against *hom there are allegations o( bribery. =iving and a''e!ting bribe is a 'riminal o((en'e. -here is no te'hni'ality involved in that. I( that logi' *ere a''e!ted& then the in'ome ta> !eo!le *ould also say that in'ome ta> is a very 'om!le> sub:e't and only !eo!le *ith in'ome ta> ba'$grounds should deal *ith allegations o( 'orru!tion against in'ome ta> o((i'ers. -here *ould be similar demands (rom !oliti'ians& 'ustoms o((i'ers and other se'tions o( bureau'ra'y. %ut the !ro'eedings (or im!ea'hment o( :udges is already !rovided in the onstitution. Are you suggesting an amendment to the onstitution< Ce are not see$ing any amendment to the 'onstitution. Ce are not even tou'hing the !rovisions relating to im!ea'hment o( :udges as !rovided in
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"udi'ial matters are very te'hni'al. -here(ore& 9nly !eo!le (rom :udi'iary should deal *ith 'om!laints against :udges.

1. o( 3,&

"an #o$!al %ill& A Detailed Analysis

the 'onstitution. Ce are not even tal$ing o( im!ea'hment. All that *e are saying is that the !o*er to grant !ermission to register 1I5 against a :udge should be given to a seven member ben'h o( #o$!al rather than the "I. Chat *ill ha!!en to the "udi'ial A''ountability %ill !resented by the =overnment< Gn(ortunately& the "udi'ial 2tandards and A''ountability %ill !resented by the =overnment does not ins!ire 'on(iden'e that it *ould ma$e :udi'iary a''ountable in any manner. -his %ill seems to be driven by the belie( that the :udi'iary must be essentially a''ountable to itsel( though it see$s to indu't some !eo!le (rom the e>e'utive in the bodies as *ell. -hus the :udi'ial oversight 'ommittee& *hi'h *ould re'eive 'om!laints against :udges& *ould be a body 'om!rising o( the (ormer hie( "usti'e o( India& a sitting :udge o( the 2u!reme ourt& a sitting :udge o( the 8igh ourt& the Attorney =eneral and one Ieminent !ersonI nominated by the President. -his means three !ersons in the :udi'iary& in'luding t*o sitting :udges& and t*o !ersons (rom the e>e'utive. +oreover three out o( the (ive members are e> o((i'io& being very busy in their o((i'ial *or$. -he oversight 'ommittee is there(ore neither inde!endent o( the government nor the :udi'iary. +oreover they 'an hardly devote adeAuate time to the tas$ o( loo$ing at 'om!laints against all :udges o( the higher :udi'iary. ;ven *orse is a !rovision in the %ill reAuiring a 'om!laint to be sent to the s'rutiny 'ommittee 'onsisting o( t*o sitting :udges and a retired hie( "usti'e o( the same 'ourt. -his *ill ma$e it virtually im!ossible to the s'rutiny 'ommittee to give an unbiased re!ort against a !erson *ho is& and has been& a !ro(essional 'olleague and brother :udge on the ben'h at the

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"an #o$!al %ill& A Detailed Analysis

same 'ourt. %esides& "udi'ial A''ountability %ill does not tal$ o( bribery by the :udges. It only tal$s o( !ro(essional mis'ondu't. "an #o$!al tal$s o( 'riminal mis'ondu't. -here(ore& the t*o bills 'om!lement ea'h other. -he "udi'ial oversight 'ommittee *ill not have the !oli'e and investigative !o*ers and ma'hinery to deal *ith 'riminal 'om!laints o( bribery. It 'ould be done only by #o$!al. om!laints against #o$!al members *ill go to 2u!reme ourt and those against 2u!reme ourt :udges *ill go to #o$!al. Could that not 'reate some $ind o( 'ir'ularity< 2u'h 'ir'ularity is a !art o( internal 'he'$s and balan'es at to! levels in any demo'ra'y. 1or instan'e& 2u!reme ourt $ee!s a 'he'$ on legislature and ;>e'utive and the #egislature has !o*ers to legislate on :udi'ial matters. I( there is a 'om!laint against a 2u!reme ourt :udge and a #o$!al member at the same time& then obviously& the a''used :udge or the a''used member *ill re'use himsel( (rom the ben'hes. I( ever su'h an eventuality ha!!ens& the trans!aren'y o( !ro'eedings in the t*o institutions *ill $ee! a 'he'$ on the !ossibility o( any misuse. -he hearings at the t*o !la'es *ill be o!en (or the !ubli' and media. Con@t *e need to amend the 'onstitution to allo* a seven member ben'h o( #o$!al to give !ermission rather than the "I under the e>isting system< No& *e *on@t need any amendment. -here is no !rovision either in the 'onstitution or in any la* *hi'h em!o*ers the "I to give !ermission be(ore registration o( an 1I5 against any :udge. 2u'h a system *as 'reated by the 2u!reme ourt through an order in Veeras*amy 'ase& in *hi'h the 2 made it mandatory that !ermission *ould need to be sought be(ore registration o( an 1I5 against any :udge. Interestingly& no (rivolous 1I5 had ever been (iled against

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any :udge be(ore that :udgement and su'h a :udgement *as 'om!letely un'alled (or.

(. Ele$!ed pol'!'$'an* 'n$l#d'n) .'n'*!e"* and P"'.e ;'n'*!e"
='> Fo" !he'" $ond#$! o#!*'de pa"l'a.en!
I( any !oliti'ian indulges in any 'orru!tion outside Parliament& he 'ould be investigated against by the #o$!al or #o$ayu$ta on either a 'om!laint (rom any 'itiDen or suo moto. A(ter 'om!letion o( investigations& i( a 'ase is made out& #o$!al or #o$ayu$ta shall (ile !rose'ution in 'ourt. -he 'ourt *ill have to 'om!lete its trial and !ass orders *ithin one year. In the 'ase o( ministers in'luding Prime +inister and hie( +inister& the !ermission (or starting investigations or initiating !rose'ution *ill have to be given by a (ull ben'h /seven members0 o( #o$!al or #o$ayu$ta. In the 'ase o( ministers barring Prime +inister& i( a 'ase is made out& #o$!al or #o$ayu$ta may re'ommend removal o( the minister to the =overnor or President. 2u'h re'ommendation *ill also have to be made by a (ull ben'h o( #o$!al or #o$ayu$ta.

=''> Fo" !he'" $ond#$! 'n*'de Pa"l'a.en!
I( any !oliti'ian indulges in any 'orru!tion inside Parliament& then either suo moto or on a 'om!laint (rom anyone& the hair!erson o( res!e'tive 8ouse shall (or*ard the 'ase to the ;thi's ommittee. I( ;thi's ommittee so re'ommends& the hair!erson shall (or*ard the 'om!laint to #o$!al or #o$ayu$ta (or ne'essary investigations. #o$!al shall be res!onsible (or 'ondu'ting investigations and shall submit its re!ort to the hair!erson& *ho *ill then !resent it in that 8ouse (or ne'essary de'ision.

$. B#"ea#$"a!*
#o$!al may& either suo moto or on re'ei!t o( a 'om!laint& may initiate investigations against any bureau'rat. A(ter 'om!letion o( investigations& i( a 'ase is made out& #o$!al or #o$ayu$ta may (ile !rose'ution in 'ourt. -he 'ourt *ill have to 'om!lete its trial and !ass orders *ithin one year. In the 'ase o( bureau'rats& a(ter 'om!letion o( investigations& i( a 'ase is made out& #o$!al or #o$ayu$ta *ill have the !o*ers to re'ommend de!artmental !enalties in'luding dismissal. 2u'h re'ommendations shall be binding on the government. 20 o( 3,&

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8o*ever& in im!osing su'h !enalties& the eviden'e *ould be e>amined on the basis o( !re!onderan'e o( !robabilities. I( the a''used are o( the level o( "oint 2e'retary or above& su'h !enalties *ill be im!osed by a ben'h o( members o( #o$!al or #o$ayu$ta a(ter giving an o!!ortunity o( being heard to all !arties. 1or others& the !enalties *ill be im!osed by a ben'h o( senior o((i'ers o( #o$!a or #o$ayu$ta. -hese orders 'ould be a!!ealed against in 8igh ourt. Flow $ha"! o% how a $o.pla'n! o% $o""#p!'on wo#ld (e deal! a! Lokpal o" Lokay#k!a itiDen 'an ma$e a 'om!laint trans(er o( to any o((i'e o( any #o$ayu$ta or bene(i'iaries Investigati ons to be -rans(erred to a!!ro!riate 'om!leted *ithin one year o((i'e *ithin (ive days

I( 'ase is strong& ban on assets o( a''used J his

DEPA?T;ENTAL P?OCEEDINDS

TWO SI;ELTANEOES P?OCEEDINDS

I( a''used are "2 J above& hearing by a ben'h o( #o$!al members. ;lse& hearing by ben'h o( senior o((i'ers o( 1ile !rose'uti on in a 'ourt ourt orders *ithin one year

De!artmen tal !enalty Pre!onderan'e o( in'luding dismissal !robabilities (rom :ob

I( =uilty

C?I;INAL P?OCEEDINDS

"ail& re'overy o( losses and dismissal

Whistleblower Protection
Wha! '* !he p"o(le.?
I( anyone raises his voi'e against 'orru!tion& there is no agen'y that 'an !rovide e((e'tive and 'redible !rote'tion. -he !erson 'an only a!!roa'h the !oli'e. Poli'e is usually subordinate to the same !eo!le *ho are 'orru!t. 1or e>am!le& in the event a lo'al +P or +#A is harassing the !ubli'& !oli'e *on@t do anything. 21 o( 3,&
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"an #o$!al %ill& A Detailed Analysis

P"opo*al 'n Jan Lokpal B'll:
#o$!al& being an inde!endent body& *ill have the res!onsibility and !o*ers to !rovide !rote'tion (rom harm to the *histleblo*er and order investigation and !rose'ution in the 'ase. In the event the 'on'erned o((i'er o( #o$!al (ails to !rovide adeAuate !rote'tion to the *histleblo*er& and the !erson is a'tually harmed& the 'on'erned o((i'er *ould (a'e a 'riminal 'harge unless he has su((i'ient reason to !rove his inno'en'e. A *histleblo*er *ill have the o!tion to see$ !rote'tion (rom the lo'al vigilan'e o((i'er or the 'hair!erson or the members o( #o$!al& *ho *ill be reAuired to a't *ithin sti!ulated times de!ending on the severity o( the threat. -he !erson *ould have the right to see$ an a!!ointment *ith members o( the #o$!al in !erson& on !hone or through video 'on(eren'e i( the *histleblo*er 'annot !ra'ti'ally 'ome to the #o$!al building. In 'ase o( mental harassment& #o$!al *ill !rovide ne'essary !rote'tion *ithin a ma>imum !eriod o( one month (rom the date o( laun'h o( a 'om!laint by the *histleblo*er. In 'ase o( !hysi'al threat& #o$!al *ill !rovide ne'essary !rote'tion to the *histleblo*er *ithin (e* hours and ma>imum *ithin one *ee$ o( the laun'h o( 'om!laint de!ending u!on the urgen'y o( the 'ase. I( !hysi'al harm has already ha!!ened then #o$!al *ill !rovide !rote'tion (rom (urther !hysi'al harm *ithin 2) hours o( the laun'h o( 'om!laint. #o$!al *ill also dire't the !oli'e to register 'riminal 'ase against the !eo!le *ho 'aused the !hysi'al harm to the *histleblo*er. I( (alse 'ases get (iled by authorities against the *histleblo*er& #o$!al *ill ensure that su'h 'ases are *ithdra*n.

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Protection against frivolous and mischievous complaints
Fal*e $o.pla'n!* o% $o""#p!'on o" %al*e $o.pla'n! a)a'n*! *!a%% o% Lokpal : I( anyone ma$es a 'om!laint *hi'h is *ithout any basis and is meant only to harass someone& then a (inan'ial !enalty 'ould be im!osed u!on that 'om!lainant by #o$!al. 8o*ever& merely dismissal o( a 'ase due to *ea$ eviden'e *ould not be held against a 'om!lainant.

Fal*e $o.pla'n! a)a'n*! .e.(e" o" Cha'"pe"*on o% Lokpal o" Lokay#k!a: 2u!reme ourt or 8igh ourt may im!ose (ine and also senten'e the 'om!lainant to :ail in 'ase o( 'om!laints *hi'h are *ithout basis and meant only to harass the member or hair!erson.

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Fre uently !sked "uestions about the Jan Lokpal #ill

I* Lokpal a *#pe" $op?
A myth is being 'reated that the !ro!osed "an #o$!al *ill be'ome a su!er'o! and *ill be'ome a threat to all demo'rati' institutions. -his is 'om!letely *rong. #et us see *hat does "an #o$!al %ill !ro!ose to do< 1. Against !oliti'ians /(or their 'ondu't outside !arliament0& :udges and bureau'rats& #o$!al *ill only investigate 'om!laints o( 'orru!tion and (ile a 'ase in 'ourt. -he 'ourts *ill have the !o*er to try and a*ard !unishment. #o$!al *ill not have !o*ers to a*ard !unishment. 2. 8o*ever& in 'ase o( bureau'rats& the institution o( #o$!al *ill have !o*ers to im!ose de!artmental !enalties in'luding dismissing them& i( a(ter investigations by the investigation *ing o( #o$!al& the guilt o( that o((i'er is established. 1or "oint 2e'retary and above& a ben'h o( members o( #o$!al *ill im!ose su'h !enalty a(ter giving an o!!ortunity o( being heard to all a((e'ted !arties. 8o*ever& i( a''used are belo* the ran$ o( "oint 2e'retary& the same *ill be heard by a ben'h o( senior o((i'ers o( #o$!al. -hese orders o( #o$!al 'an be a!!ealed against in res!e'tive 8igh ourts. -his system is mu'h better than the e>isting system& in *hi'h the a''used and its (riends are res!onsible (or enAuiring against themselves and a*arding !unishment to themselves. Presently& the enAuiries are 'ondu'ted by o((i'ers (rom the same de!artment /o(ten enAuiries are 'ondu'ted by :unior o((i'ers against their bosses0& !enalties are de'ided by some o((i'er in the same ministry and a!!eals also lie *ith some o((i'er in the same ministry. 2in'e the a''used o((i'er belongs to the same de!artmentEministry& he is able to in(luen'e their de'isions as they have been his 'olleagues& (riends and subordinates. +any times& the dis'i!linary authorities are themselves a''om!li'es in 'orru!tion. Gnder e>isting system& the !ubli' or the 'om!lainant have no say in entire !ro'eedings. orru!t o((i'ers are let o(( a(ter dishonest enAuiries. om!lainant 'annot do anything. Gnder "an #o$!al %ill& the 'om!lainant *ill be treated as a !rime *itness and 'ase 'annot be 'losed *ithout giving an o!!ortunity o( being heard. -here(ore& the !ro!osed system is (ar more (air& trans!arent and a''ountable. 3. I( any +ember o( Parliament or a +inister indulges in any 'orru!t a'tivity inside Parliament& then a 'om!laint 'ould be made to the 2!ea$er o( #o$ 2abha or

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hair!erson o( 5a:ya 2abha. -hey *ould (or*ard the 'om!laint to the ;thi's ommittee. I( ;thi's 'ommittee re'ommends& the 2!ea$er or hair!erson *ould (or*ard the 'om!laint to the #o$!al (or investigations. A(ter investigations& #o$!al *ould submit its re!ort to the 2!ea$er or hair!erson& *ho *ould then !resent it in Parliament. -he Parliament *ould de'ide *hat a'tion should be ta$en on the re!ort.

Sho#ld p#(l'$ D"'e-an$e* (e ("o#)h! #nde" !he C#"'*d'$!'on o% Lokpal? Th'* w'll o-e"(#"den Lokpal and .ake '! #nw'eldy.
Gnder the grievan'e redressal system !ro!osed in "an #o$!al %ill& none o( the 'om!laints *ould dire'tly rea'h the #o$!al members. It is only *hen the o((i'ers o( a de!artment& in'luding its head o( de!artment (ails to redress the grievan'e o( a 'itiDen& does the grievan'e rea'h the Vigilan'e o((i'er o( #o$!al. -he Vigilan'e o((i'er& in addition to getting the grievan'e resolved& *ill im!ose !enalties on the o((i'ers in'luding the head o( de!artment. It is e>!e'ted that this *ould a't as a very big deterrent and the 8eads o( various de!artments *ould start strengthening their systems. Also& ea'h de!artment *ould be as$ed to !re!are their o*n 'itiDens@ 'harter. -hey *ill themselves assess *hi'h items to !ut on 'itiDens 'harter *here they 'ould ma$e a (irm 'ommitment. 8o*ever& the de!artments *ould be e>!e'ted to bring all !ubli' dealing issues in 'itiDens 'harter in one years time. -here is an a!!rehension that the #o$!al *ill get (looded *ith thousands o( 'om!laints and :am its ma'hinery. -his a!!rehension is not 'orre't be'ause only those grievan'es *hi'h result (rom violation o( 'itiDens 'harter *ill be a''e!ted. ;ven i( *e assume (or the sa$e o( argument that la$hs o( grievan'es do 'ome u! in any !la'e against any de!artment& that *ould not :am the entire ma'hinery o( #o$!al. It 'ould only :am the (un'tioning o( some V9s in some de!artments in some stations. I( #o$!al (eels that there are more V9s reAuired& it *ill have the !o*ers to a!!oint as many V9s as it *ants.

2, o( 3,&

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!nne$ure %
De%'$'en$'e* 'n !he p"e*en! an!'9$o""#p!'on *y*!e.* Cen!"al Do-e"n.en! le-el: At 'entral =overnment level& *e have entral Vigilan'e ommission& De!artmental vigilan'e and %I. V and De!artmental vigilan'e deal *ith vigilan'e /dis'i!linary !ro'eedings0 as!e't o( a 'orru!tion 'ase and %I deals *ith 'riminal as!e't o( that 'ase. Cen!"al F')'lan$e Co..'**'on: =overnment o( India. • V is the a!e> body (or all vigilan'e 'ases in

8o*ever& it does not have adeAuate resour'es to deal *ith the large number o( 'om!laints that it re'eives. V is a very small set u! *ith a sta(( strength less than 200. It is su!!osed to 'he'$ 'orru!tion in more than 1,00 'entral government de!artments and ministries& some o( them being as big as entral ;>'ise& 5ail*ays& In'ome -a> et'. -here(ore& it merely a'ts as a !ost o((i'e and (or*ards most o( the 'om!laints to the vigilan'e *ings o( res!e'tive de!artments. It dire'tly enAuires into very (e* 'om!laints o( its o*n. 1or instan'e& during 2006310& it dire'tly enAuired into :ust 11 out o( more than 1400 'ases that it re'eived. 5est all 'ases *ere merely (or*arded. V is merely an advisory body. -he de!artmental vigilan'e *ing o( any entral =overnment De!artment (irst 'ondu'ts an enAuiry into any 'ase and then see$s V @s advi'e on *hat !unishment should be given in that 'ase. 8o*ever& the head o( that De!artment is (ree to a''e!t or re:e't V @s advi'e. ;ven in those 'ases& *hi'h are dire'tly enAuired into by the V & it 'an only advise government. ;>!erien'e sho*s that *henever senior o((i'ers are involved in 'orru!tion& V @s advi'e is rarely a''e!ted. V has :urisdi'tion only on bureau'rats. It does not have !o*ers over !oliti'ians. I( there is an involvement o( a !oliti'ian in any 'ase& then V enAuire only into the role o( bureau'rats in that 'ase.

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It does not have any dire't !o*ers over de!artmental vigilan'e *ings& to *hi'h it (or*ards all 'om!laints. 9(ten it is seen that V (or*ards a 'om!laint to a de!artment and then $ee!s sending reminders to them to enAuire and send re!ort. +any a times& the de!artments :ust do not 'om!ly. V does not have any !o*ers over them to see$ 'om!lian'e o( its orders. V does not have administrative 'ontrol over o((i'ials in vigilan'e *ings o( various 'entral government de!artments to *hi'h it (or*ards 'orru!tion 26 o( 3,&
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'om!laints. -hough the government does 'onsult V be(ore a!!ointing the hie( Vigilan'e 9((i'ers o( various de!artments& ho*ever& the (inal de'ision lies *ith the government. Also& the o((i'ials belo* V9 are a!!ointedEtrans(erred by the 8ead o( the same de!artment only. • • A!!ointments to V are dire'tly under the 'ontrol o( ruling !oliti'al !arty. -he a!!ointments are arbitrary and intrans!arent. V A't gives su!ervisory !o*ers to V over %I. 8o*ever& these su!ervisory !o*ers have remained ine((e'tive. V does not have the !o*er to 'all (or any (ile (rom %I or to dire't them to do any 'ase in a !arti'ular manner. %esides& %I is under administrative 'ontrol o( D9P- rather than V . -here(ore& though V is relatively inde!endent in its (un'tioning& it neither has resour'es nor !o*ers to enAuire and ta$e any a'tion. V has been redu'ed to merely a sho* !ie'e.

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Depa"!.en!al F')'lan$e W'n)*: ;a'h De!artment has a vigilan'e *ing& *hi'h is manned by o((i'ials (rom the same de!artment /barring a (e* *hi'h have an outsider as hie( Vigilan'e 9((i'er. 8o*ever& all the o((i'ers under him belong to the same de!artment0. • 2in'e the o((i'ers in the vigilan'e *ing o( a de!artment are (rom the same de!artment and they 'an be !osted to any !osition in that de!artment anytime& it is !ra'ti'ally im!ossible (or them to enAuire against their 'olleagues and seniors. I( a 'om!laint is re'eived against a senior o((i'er& it is im!ossible to enAuire into that 'om!laint be'ause an o((i'er *ho is in vigilan'e today might get !osted under that senior o((i'er some time in (uture. In some de!artments& some (ield o((i'ials double u! as vigilan'e o((i'ials. It means that an e>isting (ield o((i'ial is given additional duty o( vigilan'e also. 2o& i( some 'itiDen 'om!laints against that o((i'er& the 'om!laint is e>!e'ted to be enAuired into by the same o((i'er. ;ven i( someone 'om!laints against that o((i'er to the V or to the 8ead o( that De!artment or to any other authority& the 'om!laint is (or*arded by all these agen'ies and it (inally lands u! in his o*n la! to enAuire against himsel(. -here are hundreds o( e>am!les o( su'h absurdity. +any o( the o((i'ials !osted in vigilan'e *ing by that de!artment have had a very 'orru!t !ast. Chile in vigilan'e& they try to s'uttle all 'ases against themselves. -hey also turn vigilan'e *ing into a hub o( 'orru!tion& *here 'ases are 'losed by ta$ing money. De!artmental vigilan'e does not investigate into 'riminal as!e't o( any 'ase. It does not have the !o*ers to register an 1I5.

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-hey also do not have any !o*ers against !oliti'ians. 2in'e the vigilan'e *ing is dire'tly under the 'ontrol o( the 8ead o( that De!artment& it is !ra'ti'ally im!ossible (or them to enAuire against senior o((i'ials o( that de!artment. -here(ore& most o( the time& the vigilan'e *ing o( any de!artment are seen to s'uttle genuine 'om!laints or are used to enAuire against in'onvenient o((i'ers.

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CBI: %I has !o*ers o( a !oli'e station to investigate and register 1I5. It 'an investigate any 'ase related to a entral =overnment de!artment on its o*n or any 'ase re(erred to it by any state government or any 'ourt. • • • %I is overburdened and does not a''e!t 'ases even *here amount o( de(al'ation is alleged to be around 5s 1 'rore. %I is dire'tly under the 'ontrol o( entral =overnment. %I Dire'tor and all other o((i'ials in %I are dire'tly a!!ointed by entral =overnment. %I has to see$ government@s !ermission to start investigation into any 'ase involving :oint se'retary and above. It has to see$ the !ermission o( the government to initiate !rose'ution in any 'ase. 2ometimes& the !eo!le *ho have to give !ermissions are either themselves a''used in some 'orru!tion 'ases or are under some !oliti'al obligation o( a''used !eo!le. A(ter investigation is 'om!leted in any 'ase& *hen a 'ase is (iled by %I in a 'ourt& %I@s la*yer is sele'ted and a!!ointed by the #a* ministry. -here(ore& i( any minister is involved in any 'ase& la* ministry *ould a!!oint su'h a !erson& *ho *ould try to $ill the 'ase rather than get the a''used !unished. 2o& i( a 'om!laint !ertains to any minister or !oliti'ian *hi'h is !art o( ruling 'oalition or a bureau'rat *hi'h is 'lose to them& it is !ra'ti'ally im!ossible (or %I to do a (air investigation. In su'h 'ases& %I@s :ob is to s'uttle these 'ases. Again& be'ause %I is dire'tly under the 'ontrol o( entral =overnment& o(ten been used settle s'ores against in'onvenient !oliti'ians. %I has

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-here(ore& i( a 'itiDen *ants to ma$e a 'om!laint about 'orru!tion by a !oliti'ian or an o((i'ial in the entral =overnment& there isn@t a single anti3'orru!tion agen'y *hi'h is e((e'tive and inde!endent o( the government& *hose *rongdoings are sought to be investigated. %I has !o*ers but it is not inde!endent. V is inde!endent but it neither has !o*ers nor resour'es. A! S!a!e le-el: Ce have similar systems at state level also. All vigilan'e agen'ies /li$e state vigilan'e de!artment& de!artmental vigilan'e *ings0 and anti3'orru!tion 24 o( 3,&
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agen'ies /li$e anti3'orru!tion bran'h o( state !oli'e& ID et'0 are dire'tly under the 'ontrol o( state government and there(ore& ine((e'tive in (airly investigating 'orru!tion 'ases against their !oliti'al bosses. In addition& some states have the institution o( #o$ayu$tas. Lokay#k!a*: • #o$ayu$tas 'annot initiate investigations on their o*n. -hey have to see$ !ermission o( state government to investigate 'ases involving o((i'ials above 'ertain levels. In some states& vigilan'e de!artment has been given !o*ers over bureau'rats and #o$ayu$tas have been given !o*ers only over !oliti'ians. 2u'h division o( :urisdi'tion ham!ers investigations. 2o& in a 'ase involving both !oliti'ian and bureau'rats /*hi'h is the 'ase most o( the times0& both #o$ayu$ta and the vigilan'e de!artment (eel handi'a!!ed. #o$ayu$tas merely have advisory roles. -hey do not have the !o*ers to dire'tly initiate !rose'ution. -hey ma$e re'ommendations to the government& *hi'h may or may not agree *ith those re'ommendations. -hey also do not have adeAuate resour'es to investigate the large number o( 'om!laints that they re'eive. #o$ayu$ta is a!!ointed by the state government in an intrans!arent and arbitrary manner. In some states& their inde!enden'e has been Auestioned.

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Government denied permission to register case against top NHAI officer Indian Express 18th Nov 2010 The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), under Kamal Nath, has refused the Central Bureau of n!estigation (CB ) san"tion to initiate an in#uiry against a top offi"ial of the National Highways $uthority of ndia (NH$ ) in "onne"tion with a "orruption "ase registered si% months ago in whi"h two top NH$ offi"ials were arrested& CB offi"ials said the denial of san"tion "ame early this month after it sent se!eral reminders to the Ministry and to the Ca'inet (e"retary underlining that it was Union Minister Kamal Nath who was the )"ompetent authority* to ta+e a final de"ision in the matter& (our"es ha!e "onfirmed to The ndian ,%press that the CB , after see+ing legal ad!i"e, has now written to Ca'inet (e"retary K M Chandrase+har as+ing him to transfer out ( -atel, an $dditional (e"retary.le!el offi"er who is now posted as Mem'er (-ro/e"ts) in the NH$ & The Ca'inet (e"retary is understood to ha!e s"heduled a re!iew meeting with CB offi"ials later this wee+& The "ase in #uestion is a "ontro!ersial award of "ontra"t in the 012.+m Nagpur.Betul Highway (NH 34) to a 5elhi.'ased pri!ate firm, 6riental (tru"tural ,ngineers -!t 7td (6(,-7)& The "ontra"t !alue, o!er an 08.year period, is Rs 02,822 "rore, and the CB has alleged se!eral irregularities in the manner in whi"h it was awarded& t was in May this year that the CB registered a "ase after it re"ei!ed "omplaints from among the 01 other 'idders and put telephones of NH$ and 6(,-7 under sur!eillan"e& Cash totalling Rs 0&83 "rore was re"o!ered 'y the CB from NH$ offi"ials during sear"hes& The CB "alled it a "ase of "riminal "onspira"y and "orruption in whi"h while awarding a "ontra"t, the NH$ had tried to )eliminate all possi'le "ontenders on one prete%t or another and fa!oured the a""used "ompany ensuring huge finan"ial gain to it&* Those arrested were a Chief 9eneral Manager and 9eneral Manager of the NH$ and two top 6(,-7 'osses, in"luding its managing dire"tor& $n analysis of the e!iden"e : in"luding telephone trans"rips of "on!ersations 'etween the two "amps and emails e%"hanged 'etween NH$ and 6(,-7 offi"ials : led the CB to see+ san"tion to in!estigate Mem'er (-ro/e"ts) -atel too& (ignifi"antly, -atel was a'le to stay out of the "ountry : he sought se!eral e%tensions of his lea!e : all throughout the 32.day remand period of the arrested offi"ials and returned to NH$ only after they se"ured 'ail sin"e the CB failed to file a "hargesheet&

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The CB !ersion is that -atel;s e!iden"e is !ital to lin+ pie"es of e!iden"e in the "ase and, therefore, its urgent reminders for immediate grant of san"tion& <hen "onta"ted today, NH$ "hairman Bra/eshwar (ingh told The ndian ,%press that he wasn;t aware of the final out"ome of the CB ;s re#uest for san"tion sin"e it was 'eing handled 'y the Ministry& )The Ministry had as+ed us for "omments and we ga!e them what was on our files& am not aware of the nature of e!iden"e with the CB sin"e they are not e%pe"ted to share it with us,* he said& )=es, the CB re"o!ered huge sums of money from two NH$ offi"ials 'ut again am not aware if they were a'le to esta'lish a ne%us 'etween the offi"ers and the "ontra"t&* 5espite senior NH$ offi"ials 'eing arrested and 6(,-7 'eing made the )a""used* pri!ate 'enefi"iary, the NH$ went ahead and signed the "on"essional agreement : the final "ontra"tual pro"edure : with the same "ompany& This was done in end $ugust, three months after the arrests and sear"hes& <hen as+ed a'out this, NH$ "hief (ingh said> )Te"hni"ally, the "ontra"t was awarded 'efore the CB a"tion& No'ody, in"luding the CB , had as+ed us to "an"el the "on"essional agreement& ts signing was a mere formality&*

Coal Ministry sits on CBI requests to prosecute Coal India top officer Indian Express 7th March 2011 The Coal Ministry is sitting on at least three requests by the CBI during the past year to initiate prosecution proceedings against S C Garg, the Chairman and Managing Director of Western Coalfields td, a subsidiary of state!o"ned monopoly Coal India td# Garg is one of the t"o contenders for the post of Coal India CMD# The in$estigating agency first "rote to the ministry on March %&, '(%(, see)ing permission to register a case of *gra$e misconduct+ against Garg# ,s WC CMD, Garg "as accused of sho"ing undue fa$ours to Shri Sai Constructions, "hich "as a"arded a -s %.#/ crore contract for building the Motaghat 0ala# It allegedly forged ban) guarantee papers to e1ecute the "or)s, but Garg didn2t ta)e serious action to penalise the firm# *The CMD of WC is a 3oint Secretary!le$el officer# 4ence appro$al under Section 5, of the DS67 ,ct is required for carrying out an inquiry into the said allegations,+ the CBI "rote in its letter to the ministry, a copy of "hich is "ith The Indian 71press# But the ministry did not respond# ,ccording to CI sources, "hile Garg constituted a committee on September 8, '((&, to ascertain if Shri Sai Constructions could be banned and penalties imposed on it, he did little to implement its recommendations# The panel had recommended

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banning the firm *"ith immediate effect+ and also forfeiting the balance payment of -s 8','.,%/9 against the "or) e1ecuted# It had also suggested reco$ery of o$er -s %5 la)h from it for forging ban) guarantees# Denying that he "as responsible for the Motaghat 0ala contract, Garg says the charges "ere an attempt to malign him as he "as set to become CI CMD# *The CBI has :umped mid"ay "ithout collecting fact or "aiting for the outcome of the deliberations of the Board, "hich is the competent authority for gi$ing any decision in$ol$ing such e1penditure ;of about -s %9 crore<# I, as the MD can only decide on cases in$ol$ing e1penditure of up to -s %( crore# The Motaghat 0ala contract "as gi$en before I became CMD of WC , and I "as apprised of it in 3uly '((&# So ho" am I responsible=+ 4e said they had realised that Shri Sai Constructions had pro$ided a fa)e ban) guarantee ;-s '#'9 crore<, follo"ing "hich they had filed an >I-, forfeited their gurantee and also charged -s %?,((,((( as interest# *I also solicited the ad$ice of the ,dditional Solicitor General# The matter is "ith the board and a case is on against the company#+ ,fter the ministry didn2t get bac) on its March '(%( letter, then CBI Director ,sh"ini @umar "rote another letter to the Coal Ministry on 3une %(, see)ing appro$al to prosecute Garg for *criminal misconduct+# *###so far, no action has been ta)en and Garg continues to en:oy his posting+, the CBI said in its second letter# 4o"e$er, the ministry chose to ignore this too# Si1 months later, on December ., the CBI again reminded the ministry about its request and said that one of its 3oint Director!le$el officers *himself had come and handed o$er the request for permission for registration of the case against Garg+# ,fter 6artha S Bhattarcharya retired as CI CMD recently, Garg and T @ ahiry, CMD of Bharat Co)ing Coal td, also a subsidiary of CI , "ere shortlisted by the 6ublic 7nterprises Selection Board for the co$eted :ob# When contacted, Coal Minister Sripra)ash 3ais"al saidA *We are loo)ing into it# The la" "ill ta)e its o"n course#+ 4e added that his ministry "as "aiting for the final report of the Central Bigilance Commission on Garg2s candidature for becoming CI chief# Incidentally, the CBC too had "ritten a letter to the ministry on 0o$ember %% last year, endorsing the CBI2s request for proceeding against Garg and as)ing the ministry to e1pressly get bac) to the agency on "hether it "as allo"ing prosecution, and if not, to con$ey the reasons for refusal#

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'#( cannot act against )ailway scam accused !sian !ge &%st July &*%* The Central Bureau of Investigation sleuths probing the Railway Recruitment Board scam couldn’t make much headway in the case of Mumbai RRB chief Mr S M Sharma thanks to a provision in the !elhi Special "olice #stablishment $ct which makes government sanction mandatory before registering an %IR against an officer of the rank of &oint'secretary or above under the "revention of Corruption $ct Though the CBI allegedly found incriminating evidence against Mr Sharma( they couldn’t register an %IR against him due to Section )$ of the !S"# $ct as Mr Sharma is an officer of the &oint'secretary rank *n +une ,-( the CBI had written to the Centre seeking permission for initiating investigation against Mr Sharma after the arrest of his son Mr .ivek Bhardwa&a Sources in the Central Bureau of Investigation said that the agency is still awaiting the Centre’s nod and this delay in obtaining permission is having a negative impact on the investigations as in several cases the accused get enough time to manipulate various aspects of the case $ Central Bureau of Investigation official said( /#arlier( in several cases the accused tried to seek a discharge from the case on technical grounds by raising the issue that the mandatory provision of Section )$ was not complied by the CBI 0 Section )$ was inserted in 1223 with an intention of safeguarding public servants against mala fide and unwarranted investigations

'hanging moments< %uddha had it belo* than %anyan tree. Ne*ton had it *hen that a!!le (ell on his head. Poonam Pandey *hen she realiDed her best talent *as ta$ing her 'lothes o((. 2imilarly& mine *as *hen i sa* a sign at the air!ort listing out the most im!ortant !eo!le in India& the ones e>em!ted (rom getting their balls 'u!!ed by I21 o((i'ers. President. Prime +inister. abinet +inisters. hie( "usti'e. 2hri 5obert Vadra.

+an& this must be an order o( magnitude bigger than getting AI5 1 in II-";;& 100 !er'entile in A- and to!!ing the 'ivil servi'es e>am. In the same year. +umma must be so !roud.

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Dude& you@re su'h a ro'$star. And i (elt im!ortant *hen a one3time !ass to the !remium lounge. Chat a loser.

ontinental airlines sent me

%ut i guess you *ere destined (or greatness. Kour mom *as o( 2'ottish origin& and dad an Indian. Al*ays the mar$ o( a great man to marry a (oreigner& and i guess it also (it into the *hole =andhi (amily theme. %ut 'learly& i( there@s one thing you did *ell& it *as getting married to Priyan$a :i. Very ni'e lady she is& tall& 'harismati'& short hair and all that. Chile most Indian men dream o( marrying a *oman *ho 'an get them a 'rore in do*ry& you *ent long. And ho*. =ood :ob there. Don@t get me *rong& i am not li$e those stu!id %"P *alas& ranting against you. I truly adore you man. Kour :ourney is going to ins!ire men and *omen (or many 'enturies. I mean& you got the air!ort (ris$ing e>em!tion even be(ore the 'hie(s o( our de(ense servi'es. -hat is so 15;A?IN= AC;29+;. 9( 'ourse& you are not all about being the (irst3son3in3la* o( the 'ountry. -here@s more to you. #i$e s!ending time in the gym to give a 'om!le> to 2alman and 8rithi$. Kou@re (orty and have a si> !a'$ o( abs. I am 32 and my lungs turn into the Agni missile i( i dare run a $ilometer. Kou already have a musta'he. I say you should shoot (or the lead role in Dabangg 2.

9h& and i love your 1400'' motor'y'le. ;ven my 'ar doesn@t have that many s. %ut then& the national :amai has to live in style& so it is 'ool. ?itna deti hai& bt*< -here@s so mu'h to you. I thin$ you are doing a great :ob o( removing gender stereoty!es that 'ra!!y sho*s li$e %ali$a Vadhu are 'reating. -here the bahus s!end their time 'oo$ing& loo$ing good and ta$ing 'are o( the (amily name. 8ere& you are ma$ing sure you loo$ good& *hile ta$ing 'are o( the (amily name. -his is :ust so s*eet. I *ould do 'hubby 'hee$s to you& i( i 'ould. Along the *ay& you@ve also built yoursel( a business em!ire. 2ta$es in hotels& a!artments all over the !la'e& everything totaling hundreds o( 'rores. ;>'ellent e>am!le (or unmarried budding entre!reneurs. "ust one suggestion B you should 'onsider !utting u! those a!artments (or rent. 2ome su!!lemental in'ome never hurts. A*esome& man. A*esome. Very im!ressive. 3) o( 3,&

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A'hha& one last thing. I hear you got a 10&000 sAuare (eet a!artment in =urgaon (or 46 la$h. %oss& this is god3level bargaining s$ills. 8o* did you manage< Chen i tried& they *ouldn@t sell me an a!artment a tenth o( that siDe (or that mu'h. an you !lease hel! getting that dis'ount< Perha!s i( *e (ind ten other !eo!le& D#1 might even give us a grou! dis'ount and ma$e it even 'hea!er. halo boss& that@s it (or no*. -a$e 'are& $ee! ro'$ing& and don@t *orry about ?e:ri*al& the %"P& or Indian !eo!le. Ce (orgot about %o(ors& *e@ve (orgotten C=& *e@ve (orgotten 2=& *e@ll (orget oal =& *e@ll (orget "I"A "I as *ell.

Dis'laimer: Dear ?a!il 2ibal :i& i :ust mean this in good humor. I( you are 'onsidering !utting me in :ail (or this silly satiri'al !ost& !lease note that 2uresh 5aina@s ne!he* *rote it.L M *ith ?aran Kadav. #i$e N N 2hare N 4 hours ago

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