Lokpal's New Prosecution Wing: A Step Forward in the Fight Against Corruption

After over a decade, India's anti-corruption ombudsman, Lokpal, has established a prosecution wing to tackle corruption cases involving public servants. Despite the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act being enacted in 2014, significant legal structures only became functional years later. Now, the wing will enhance efforts against graft by prosecuting offenders.

In a significant move, India's anti-corruption body, Lokpal, has set up a prosecution wing aimed specifically at prosecuting corrupt public servants. This development comes more than a decade after the passage of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act in 2013, which mandated such a wing.

The Act, which officially commenced in 2014, saw the Lokpal only becoming operational in 2019, when its chairperson and members were appointed. Initially, priority was given to the inquiry wing, but a surge in prosecution cases necessitated the establishment of this new branch.

Thursday's announcement confirms the full operationalization of the prosecution wing, which will handle graft cases, ensuring they are expedited in courts, a crucial step forward in addressing corruption within the public sector.

(With inputs from agencies.)