Former SC judge AM Khanwilkar sworn in as Lokpal chairperson

Justice (retired) AM Khanwilkar, 66, served as a judge of the apex court from May 13, 2016 to July 29, 2022.

Justice (retd) AM Khanwilkar with President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after taking oath as Lokpal chief. (X/@rashtrapatibhvn)

Former Supreme Court judge Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar was on Sunday administered the oath of office as the Lokpal chairperson by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday.

Justice (retired) Khanwilkar, 66, served as a judge of the apex court from May 13, 2016 to July 29, 2022. In his last year, Khanwilkar authored a series of crucial verdicts that validated the state’s sweeping powers against citizens in special legislations — the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act.

President Droupadi Murmu administered the Oath of Office of Chairperson, Lokpal to Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. pic.twitter.com/ljOKpEXPGY

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Upon Khanwilkar’s retirement in 2022, then Chief Justice of India N V Ramana termed the outgoing Supreme Court judge as a “hard-working and disciplined judge” and “a strong proponent for the use of technology” in the judiciary. The CJI had said “his work ethic is clear for all to see.

He was appointed as the chairperson of the anti-corruption ombudsman Lokpal last month, almost two years after the post fell vacant following the retirement of Pinaki Chandra Ghose on May 27, 2022. Former Jharkhand HC Chief Justice Pradip Kumar Mohanty has been the acting Lokpal chairperson.

Also Read | Justice A M Khanwilkar: Aadhaar to UAPA to PMLA, he authored many crucial orders

The government has also appointed six members including three judicial members, to the Lokpal. Former Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Lingappa Narayana Swamy, former Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Yadav and former Karnataka High Court Chief Justice and Law Commission Chairperson Ritu Raj Awasthi are judicial members; non-judicial members include former Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, former Chief Secretary of Gujarat Pankaj Kumar and former Rural Development Secretary Ajay Tirkey.

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