Lokpal finally takes shape with HC ex-CJs as judicial members

NEW DELHI: The Lokpal, set to be headed by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, will have two former high court chief justices — Justices Abilasha Kumari and Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale — as judicial members along with three non-judicial members.

The Lokpal selection committee comprising PM Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, CJI’s nominee Justice S A Bobde and eminent jurist Mukul Rohatgi last week finalised the names at a meeting which Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge refused to attend as a ‘special invitee’. TOI could confirm only two of the three judicial members. Two of the three non-judicial members selected are Archana Ramasundaram and former Maharashtra chief secretary D K Jain.

Justice Abhilasha Kumari became a judge of Himachal Pradesh HC in 2005 and was transferred to Gujarat HC in 2006. She was appointed chief justice of Manipur HC in 2018 and served in the post till 14 days before her superannuation. After retirement, she was appointed chairperson of Gujarat State Human Rights Commission in May last year.

Justice Bhosale became a judge of Bombay HC in 2001 and was transferred to Karnataka HC in 2012. He was appointed chief justice of Allahabad HC in July 2016 and retired from there in October 2018. TOI had reported about Ramasundaram’s selection as one of the three non-judicial members.