Q. Consider the following statements about Lokpal:

I. The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted outside India.
II. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a Member of the Parliament or a Member of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory, and only the Chief Justice of India, whether incumbent or retired, has to be its Chairperson.
III. The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a person of less than forty-five years of age on the date of assuming office as the Chairperson or Member, as the case may be.
IV. Lokpal cannot inquire into the allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) III only
(b) II and III
(c) I and IV
(d) None of the above statements is correct

58. लोकपाल के विषय में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए:
I. लोकपाल की शक्ति भारत के लोक सेवकों पर प्रयुक्त होती है किन्तु भारत से बाहर पदस्थापित भारतीय लोक सेवकों पर प्रयुक्त नहीं होती।
II. संसद का कोई सदस्य या किसी राज्य या संघ राज्यक्षेत्र के विधान-मंडल का कोई सदस्य इसका अध्यक्ष या सदस्य नहीं होगा और केवल भारत का मुख्य न्यायमूर्ति, चाहे वो पदधारी हो या सेवानिवृत्त, इसका अध्यक्ष होगा।
III. इसका अध्यक्ष या सदस्य, अध्यक्ष या सदस्य के रूप में पद धारण करने की तारीख को पैंतालीस वर्ष से कम वय का व्यक्ति नहीं होगा।
IV. लोकपाल भारत के पदासीन प्रधानमंत्री के विरुद्ध भ्रष्टाचार के अभिकथनों की जाँच नहीं कर सकता।

उपर्युक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/कौन-से सही है/हैं?
(a) केवल III
(b) II और III
(c) I और IV
(d) उपर्युक्त कथनों में से कोई भी सही नहीं है

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement I is not correct: According to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, the jurisdiction of Lokpal includes all public servants, whether they are serving in India or outside India.

There is no exclusion for Indian public servants posted abroad.

Source: Lokpal and Lokayukta Act 2013: https://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/407_06_2013-AVD-IV-09012014_0.pdf

Statement II is not correct: It is true that a person cannot be a Member of Parliament or State Legislature at the time of appointment. However, the Chairperson of Lokpal can be:

• a former Chief Justice of India, or
• a former Judge of the Supreme Court, or
• an eminent person with integrity and outstanding ability having special knowledge and expertise in anti-corruption policy, public administration, vigilance, finance, law, etc.

It is not restricted to only the Chief Justice of India.

Source: Lokpal and Lokayukta Act 2013 - https://dopt.gov.in/sites/default/files/407_06_2013-AVD-IV-09012014_0.pdf

Statement III is correct: As per  Section 3(4)(iii) of the Lokpal Act, a person shall not be appointed as the Chairperson or a Member unless he is not less than 45 years of age on the date of assuming office.

Statement IV is not correct: The Lokpal can inquire into allegations of corruption against the sitting Prime Minister, but with certain restrictions(Section 14 of the Lokpal Act):

• Approval of the full bench is required.
• Specific matters like national security, international relations, atomic energy, and public order are excluded.
• Preliminary inquiry is held in-camera.