Supreme Court sets July to hear matter over Lokpal's jurisdiction in examining complaints against judges

Supreme Court to hear arguments in July over Lokpal's order on complaints against sitting High Court judges.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (April 30, 2025) decided to hear in July arguments over an order of the anti-corruption ombudsman, Lokpal, to examine complaints against sitting High Court judges.

Justice B.R. Gavai, who was heading a special bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Abhay S. Oka, told assembled lawyers in the suo motu case dealing with the question whether Lokpal has jurisdiction to entertain corruption complaints against HC judges that the case has to be heard by another Bench.

Justice Oka, on the Special Bench with Justice Surya Kant, explains to senior advocate Kapil Sibal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that “this is something for the CJI to decide” and propriety required the current Bench to not continue hearing the suo motu case.

Justice Gavai was cleared for appointment as the 52nd Chief Justice of India from May 14. Justice Gavai, who is currently Chief Justice of India-designate, informed lawyers that the suo motu case would come up before a fresh Bench in July, after the apex court re-opens post summer vacations.

The apex court was dealing with a suo motu proceeding initiated over the Lokpal’s January 27 order on two complaints filed against a sitting additional judge of the high court.

The complaints allege the judge influenced an additional district judge in the state and a judge of the same high court slated to deal with a suit filed against the complainant by a private company to favour the firm.

The private company, it was alleged, was earlier a client of the high court judge in question while he was practising as an advocate at the Bar.