The Supreme Court on Thursday (Mar 7) granted Centre to apprise it within 10 days, the meeting dates for the Selection Committee which will appoint Lokpal members and the Chairperson.

At today’s hearing, the Attorney General informed the bench comprising CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S Abdul Nazeer, Sanjiv Khanna that as per letter of the chairperson of search committee the committee has recommended list of three panels on Feb 28 and sought 10 days time to give an exact date.

Upon AG’s submissions, Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for NGO Common Cause raised questions about the transparency of the process.

CJI replied: “Search committee has recommended 9 names in total, 3 names for each 3 posts, now the selection committee will do its task.”

While relying upon Section 4(4) Prashant Bhushan sought disclosures of name recommended by the search committee.

The bench declined to pass any order to that effect.

“Within 10 days the AG is directed to appraise the court as to when can the selection committee possibly convene a meeting. Since the search committee has recommended names, contempt petition stands disposed of,” the bench said.

The bench was hearing a plea raising concern over the non-appointment of Lokpal at the Centre.

—India Legal Bureau