Consider the following statements about Lokpal :
- I.The power of Lokpal applies to public servants of India, but not to the Indian public servants posted outside India.
- II.The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a Member of the Parliament or a Member of the Legislature of any State or Union Territory, and only the Chief Justice of India, whether incumbent or retired, has to be its Chairperson.
- III.The Chairperson or a Member shall not be a person of less than forty-five years of age on the date of assuming office as the Chairperson or Member, as the case may be.
- IV.Lokpal cannot inquire into the allegations of corruption against a sitting Prime Minister of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: A. Statement I is wrong: the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 covers public servants in India and outside India. Statement II is wrong: the Chairperson can be a present or former CJI, a present or former Supreme Court judge, or an eminent person. Statement III is correct: the minimum age is 45 years. Statement IV is wrong: Lokpal can inquire into a Prime Minister, with some exclusions and safeguards. So only III is correct.
Watch for: 'Only the Chief Justice' and 'cannot inquire into the PM' use absolute words that make them wrong.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Statement II is wrong: the Chairperson need not be a CJI.
- C. Both I and IV are wrong.
- D. Statement III is correct, so this option is wrong.
Source to check: Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 (Sections 1(4), 3 and 14); Lokpal of India website (lokpal.gov.in).
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.