Court notice to government on Lokpal panel

The Jharkhand high court Monday issued notice to the central government over appointing civil society activists as members of the drafting committee of the proposed Lokpal bill.

Chief Justice PC Tatia issued the notice while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Chandrashekhar Pandey who contended that inclusion of civil society members in the committee violated the constitution.

The next hearing will take place June 20.

The central government appointed 10-member committee includes five ministers and five members of the civil society led by Gandhian activist Anna Hazare.