The Lokpal Act contains provisions for the establishment of a prosecution wing headed by a “Director of Public Prosecutions” to prosecute civil servants. File Photo: lokpal.gov.in
A parliamentary committee has sought details of what is being done to make the investigative and criminal wings of the Lokpal fully functional, more than a decade after the law governing it was passed.
The law governing the anti-corruption ombudsman — the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 — came into force on 1 January 2014. However, it did not become operational until 27 March 2019 after the appointment of its chairman and members.
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To discharge its statutory functions, Section 11 of the Act mandates the Lokpal to create an investigation wing headed by a Director of Investigation to conduct preliminary investigations into corruption-related offences.
The Lokpal Act also contains a provision for the establishment of a prosecution wing headed by a “Director of Public Prosecutions” to prosecute civil servants.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, in its latest report, noted that the appointment of the Director of Investigations and the staffing of the Investigations Wing in accordance with the approved organizational chart is still ongoing.
The committee therefore wishes to be informed about the current status of appointment of the director and the steps taken to operate the investigation wing in its full statutory form while ensuring coordination with existing investigative agencies, he said.
In its 160th report, the panel said the prosecution wing of the Lokpal was formally constituted through an order dated June 6, 2025.
The Committee noted that at present matters relating to prosecution are handled through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has its own prosecution mechanism.
“While noting the establishment of the prosecution wing, the committee wishes to be informed of the current phase of operationalization of the prosecution wing and the proposed plan for its full operation in accordance with the statutory framework,” the report said.
Special Court
Regarding the notification to the special court under Section 35 of the Act, the bench said the matter was taken up in the Delhi High Court and is being actively prosecuted.
She said that at present the cases are being heard by special judges notified under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 under the sanction granted by the Lokpal.
“The Committee wishes to be informed of the current status of consultations with the Supreme Court and the expected timeline for the notification of the Specialized Special Court under Section 35 of the Act,” said the report of the Committee on Grants Applications (2026-27) of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Citing details of corruption complaints, the panel said a total of 318 complaints were registered during 2024-25 (till December 31, 2025). Of these, 288 were liquidated.
The Lokpal received 292 and 166 complaints of corruption in 2024-25 and 2023-24 respectively.
The committee recommended a review of the staffing of the Lokpal Secretariat in view of the growing trend of complaints and investigations.
“Vacancies in key operational and support divisions can be filled expeditiously and necessary coordination with authorities can be done to ensure that adequate manpower is available to enable the Lokpal to discharge its statutory functions effectively and without interruption,” the report said.
Out of the sanctioned strength of 65, there are 24 vacancies in the anti-corruption watchdog, according to the report.
Published – 22 March 2026 21:09 IST
