Lokpal

Lokpal is an anti-corruption ombudsman organization in India, established by the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. It was created in response to calls for a strong, centralized mechanism to address corruption in public offices and to complement the broader framework of accountability and governance.

The central Lokpal comprises a chairperson and up to eight other members, with at least four required to be judicial. The President appoints the chairperson and members on the recommendation of a Selection Committee. The Lokpal’s mandate is to inquire into complaints of corruption against public functionaries, supervise investigations, and refer cases to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or to appropriate courts for prosecution. It can also make recommendations for reforms to reduce corruption and improve governance.

The act also provides for state-level anti-corruption bodies known as Lokayuktas, whose powers and structures vary by state legislation but generally mirror the central framework to handle complaints within state administrations and institutions receiving government funds.

Public functionaries covered include civil servants and elected representatives at the central level, as well as personnel in public sector undertakings and other entities entrusted with public duties. The Lokpal may address complaints involving acts of corruption in the discharge of official functions and, where appropriate, direct investigations.

Limitations and criticisms of the Lokpal framework include concerns about jurisdiction gaps, delays in investigations, reliance on the CBI for prosecutions, and uneven establishment and effectiveness of Lokayuktas across states.

See also: Lokayukta, Central Bureau of Investigation, Ombudsman.