In 2025, the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal has been in the spotlight as a Parliamentary Panel urged the government to urgently form its Inquiry and Prosecution Wings. These developments mark a critical step toward enhancing the Lokpal’s effectiveness in tackling corruption in India.
Parliamentary Panel’s 2025 Recommendations
- In March 2025, a Parliamentary Panel highlighted delays in the formation of the Lokpal’s Inquiry and Prosecution Wings, urging the government to complete them within six months.
- The panel noted that delays had hampered the Lokpal’s efficiency, as investigative and prosecutorial functions were largely handled by external bodies like the CVC and CBI, causing coordination challenges.
Lokpal Recruitment Drive in 2025
- Following the panel’s recommendation, in June 2025, the Lokpal officially invited applications for its Inquiry Wing.
- Experienced officers, including those from the CBI and Enforcement Directorate, were called for deputation.
- Posts advertised include:
- Deputy Director
- Inquiry/Investigation Officers
- Assistant Inquiry Officers
- Personal Assistants
- This recruitment drive aims to strengthen the Lokpal Inquiry Wing, enabling timely and independent investigation of corruption cases.
Background of Lokpal Inquiry Wing
- On August 30, 2024, the full bench of Lokpal decided to constitute an Inquiry Wing to strengthen preliminary investigations.
- The Lokpal order issued on September 5, 2024, formally approved the establishment of the Inquiry Wing.
- This step is in line with Section 34 and Section 11 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, which mandate the constitution of such a wing.
- Currently, the Lokpal has two vacant positions—one judicial and one non-judicial—out of the total sanctioned strength of eight members (four judicial and four non-judicial).
- Presently, three judicial and three non-judicial members are actively serving under the Lokpal.
- Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, former Supreme Court judge, was appointed as India’s first Lokpal in 2019, marking the beginning of a more robust anti-corruption framework.
Purpose of the Lokpal Inquiry Wing
- As mandated under Section 11 of the Lokpal Act, the Inquiry Wing is responsible for conducting preliminary inquiries into offenses punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
- The wing primarily investigates alleged misconduct by specified public servants and functionaries to ensure that corruption cases are examined impartially.
- The Lokpal chairperson has been authorized to initiate the selection process for appointing officers and staff who will provide logistical and investigative support to the Inquiry Wing.
Structure of the Lokpal Inquiry Wing
- The Lokpal bench approved an organogram defining the staffing pattern for the Inquiry Wing.
- The hierarchy is headed by a Director of Inquiry, who reports directly to the Lokpal chairperson.
- The Director is assisted by three specialized Superintendents of Police (SPs):
- SP (General)
- SP (Economic and Banking)
- SP (Cyber)
- Each SP supervises a team of inquiry officers and support staff to ensure thorough investigations.
- Until full staffing is completed, the central government will provide officers and staff as required.
Preliminary Inquiry Timeline Under Lokpal
- The Lokpal Inquiry Wing is mandated to complete preliminary inquiries and submit a detailed report within 60 days of initiation.
- Reports must include input from the public servant involved as well as the relevant competent authority, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Prosecution Wing Under Lokpal
- The Lokpal Act provides for the establishment of a Prosecution Wing, headed by a Director of Prosecution, to pursue legal action against corrupt public servants.
- This wing is yet to be constituted, and until then, the central government will supply officers and staff as necessary.
- The Director of Prosecution will file cases in accordance with investigation reports, present them before special courts, and take all necessary steps for prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Importance and Need for the Lokpal Inquiry Wing
- The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has long emphasized the importance of an independent authority to handle preliminary corruption inquiries.
- The Lokpal Inquiry Wing, as an autonomous entity, ensures impartial investigations, minimizing biases and conflicts of interest, particularly in politically sensitive cases.
- The wing aligns with recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission to improve anti-corruption institutions and inter-agency coordination.
- Global indices, such as those from Transparency International, highlight the need for strong, independent anti-corruption measures. The Lokpal Inquiry Wing strengthens India’s governance and transparency standards.
- The 2011 Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Report identified weaknesses in India’s anti-corruption framework. The Inquiry Wing addresses these gaps by providing a specialized and impartial mechanism for preliminary investigations.
Challenges and Issues in Implementing Lokpal Functions
- Government influence over the appointment and functioning of the Lokpal may compromise its independence.
- The Lokpal Act does not allow anonymous complaints, which may discourage potential whistleblowers.
- Strict penalties for false or frivolous complaints could deter individuals from filing legitimate complaints.
- Complaint procedures against the Prime Minister lack transparency.
- The Lokpal cannot initiate investigations independently against public servants without a formal complaint.
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