Former Supreme Court Justice A M Khanwilkar has been appointed as the chairperson of the anti-corruption watchdog Lokpal, ending a vacancy that lasted almost two years. The Lokpal had been without a regular chief since the completion of Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose’s term on May 27, 2022.
Currently, Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty, a judicial member of the Lokpal, is serving as the acting chairperson.
The announcement of Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar’s appointment as Lokpal chairperson was made by President Droupadi Murmu’s office in a statement from the Rashtrapati Bhavan. 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 Lokpal. Alongside them, Sushil Chandra, Pankaj Kumar, and Ajay Tirkey have been designated as non-judicial members.
These appointments will take effect upon the assumption of their respective offices.
The Lokpal’s chairperson and members are appointed by the President based on the recommendations of a Selection Committee chaired by the Prime Minister. The Lokpal can comprise up to eight members, with an equal division between judicial and non-judicial members.
