Delhi Assembly passes Janlokpal Bill with powers to prosecute central government ministers

The Delhi Assembly passed the Janlokpal Bill on Friday, incorporating the suggestions of anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare. The bill provides for an ombudsman with powers to act against any government functionary, including those from the Centre, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Delhi Police. The bill received 64 votes in its favour in the 70-member assembly, in which the ruling Aam Aadmi Party has 67 MLAs.

According to the bill, there will be a provision for one more High Court judge, one eminent person and one former chairperson in the selection panel of Janlokpal, reported PTI. The impeachment process for the removal of any functionary will begin only after a higher court-monitored investigation of any allegation against the Lokpal. Earlier, a four-member selection committee, chaired by the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, was proposed to select the three-member Lokpal. However, on Hazare's suggestion, the committee has now been expanded to seven.

Hailing it as a "historic moment", Delhi Chief Minister said if the Centre does not approve the bill, then "we will have to bend our fingers" and the Bharatiya Janata Party "will face the same situation like [the] Congress". Leader of the Opposition in the assembly, Vijender Gupta, termed the bill as a "political document". He said the government should have sent the bill to the Lieutenant Governor for his approval before tabling it.

Here are some of the provisions of the bill, compiled by PTI:

• The Lokpal will have its own investigating wing and conduct a time-bound probe. The maximum time limit for completing an inquiry is fixed at six months. In exceptional cases, it can be extended up to 12 months.

• The bill seeks to provide full protection to whistle blowers from physical harm and administrative harassment.

• Janlokpal will have a prosecution wing and may appoint investigating officers who shall have all the powers of a police officer under the Code of Criminal Procedure.

• Janlokpal may sanction the prosecution of public servants for offences committed by them. It will also have powers of a civil court for discharge of its functions. It may confiscate assets gained by a public servant through acts of corruption, besides having powers to recommend the transfer or suspension of a public servant accused of corruption.

• The bill also envisages action against private entities involved in acts of corruption and makes it incumbent upon public servants to make public the details of properties owned by them and their dependents.

• The bill has proposed harsh punishment for proven charges of corruption, including rigorous imprisonment ranging between six months and 10 years. In the rarest of rare cases, it can be life imprisonment along with a fine. The higher the rank of the errant public servant, the greater will be the punishment.