Lokpal: panel calls CVC, CBI chief

Anna representative, Aruna Roy will also be present

GN Bureau | August 29, 2011



The parliamentary standing committee on the Lokpal bill will meet here on September 7 to decide its procedure to fast-track the comprehensive exercise for formulating a strong legislation and kick off its work by hearing CBI director A P Singh and Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) Pradeep Kumar who have been sent notices to appear before it on that date.

In its earlier meeting convened by chairman Abhishek Manu Singhvi, members felt the committee's hearings should start with these two since they are the authorities dealing with corruption that will come under the ambit of the Lokpal to investigate and prosecute the corruption cases.

Apart from them, a representative of Team Anna, activist Aruna Roy and Additional Solicitor General Amarjeet Singh Chandhlok have also been asked to appear before the standing committee on September 7.

The government's Lokpal bill that is being examined by the Standing Committee envisages a separate and independent investigation wing to probe offences committed by the senior public servants, including ministers, under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Since these offences are presently investigated by the CBI, the committee wants to understand from its chief on any possible clash of its work with the Lokpal. It will also elicit from the CBI chief suggestions, based on his experience, that can make the Lokpal a strong body.

Both the CVC and the CBI chief will be also quizzed on Team Anna's Jan Lokpal Bill proposing that the Lokpal should probe corruption of all central government employees and that the CBI's anti-corruption wing be transferred in toto to the Lokpal as its investigation wing.

If the committee concedes that the Lokpal should have jurisdiction over all central staff, the job of the CBI would be limited to probe the criminal acts while the CVC would be left with no role as it is basically meant to supervise the CBI and monitor the vigilance cases of the central ministries and PSUs through the chief vigilance officers.

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