Legal luminary Fali Nariman had refused to be on the eight-member search committee citing flawed process
In the wake of legal luminary Fali Nariman’s refusal to
be on Lokpal’s search panel, the Centre on Thursday said all procedures
had been followed for forming a search committee to recommend a panel
of names for selection of chairperson and members of the anti-graft
body.
“I would like to make it very clear.
Transparent method has been followed. The process was followed properly.
As far as the selection of members of the search committee is
concerned, Fali Nariman was one among the jurists who have been
considered... It is for the person concerned whether to accept it or
not,” said Minister of State for Personnel V. Narayanasamy said. Mr.
Nariman, in a letter to the government, has refused to be on the
eight-member search committee citing flawed process.
The
search committee is mandated to prepare a panel of persons to be
considered by the Selection Committee headed by Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh for appointment of chairperson and members of the Lokpal. “Without
going through his letter I cannot make any comment on that,” said the
Minister, adding that Mr.Nariman’s name was considered on the basis of
other members’ suggestion.
“It is not the question
of consulting him because the panel that had been prepared some names
were there and thereafter we thought he (Mr.Nariman) would be able to
serve the committee. Therefore his name was considered...,” he said.
“That does not mean that the procedure has not been followed. We cannot
make any issue out of it. Out of eight members, some have given their
consent. The communication (consent) has been received by our
department. We will go for the next process,” he said.
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, provides for the establishment of a
Lokpal for the Union and Lokayuktas for the states to inquire into
corruption charges against public functionaries. The Centre had already
got nominations from various individuals for becoming its chairperson
and members.
After receiving a panel of names by the
search committee, the Prime Minister-led Selection Committee will
choose the chairperson and members of the anti-graft body.
The
Selection Committee has as members the Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of
Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India or a judge of
the apex court nominated by him, and an eminent jurist who could be
nominated by the President or any other member.
